Vote for Rahul: Election for PCC chiefs

In a move that threatens to topple many regional chieftains with no mass base,Congress president Sonia Gandhi is learnt to be considering a significant step towards democratisation in the party....

In a move that threatens to topple many regional chieftains with no mass base,Congress president Sonia Gandhi is learnt to be considering a significant step towards democratisation in the party by putting an end to nomination culture in the appointment of Pradesh Congress Committee PCC chiefs.

She would like them to get themselves elected in the organisational polls early next year,thus ensuring that only those with a mass base call the shots in the party,according to Congress sources. The move may lead to the sidelining of many influential leaders who owe their prominence and clout in the party to nomination culture.

The move comes about two years after Rahul Gandhi initiated a debate for internal democracy in the Congress and followed it up by holding elections in the Indian Youth Congress and NSUI. As a part of the Group to Look into Future Challenges,Rahul was also instrumental in the preparation of a report on intra-party reforms,which recommended intra-party democracy. The AICC general secretary has,on several occasions,expressed his reservation against nomination culture in the party.

While the report,submitted to the Congress president,was never made public,she is apparently preparing to implement Rahuls vision,at least partially,in the organisational elections next year. That explains the emphasis on the bonafides of the new members who are presently being enrolled under the membership drive that will continue till December 31. A person who wishes to become a member of the party has to submit his photograph and other details.

Despite wrangling in many state units due to rebellion against PCC chiefs,the high command has refrained from changing them because it would like them to be replaced through elections,according to a senior party leader. In the past,PCC delegates used to authorise the Congress president to nominate the PCC chiefs.

It was P V Narasimha Rao who had,in 1991,revived organisational elections,which had been discontinued in early 1970s. Facing opposition from many regional satraps,Rao had sought to use these elections to sideline many of them. It was in 1991 elections that Vayalar Ravi trounced A K Antony to become Kerala PCC chief.

In 1997,Sitaram Kesri had been elected party president through the organisational elections that had also witnessed allegations of rigging in the appointment of District Returning Officers DROs.