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Sonia Gandhi : A Leader of Clear Vision

Anil Shastri

For someone who fiercely opposed to the idea of politics as Smt. Sonia Gandhi, it hasn’t been easy leaving behind the privacy of her home to join the hurly burly world of politics much against her wishes, and face the task of reviving a moribund Congress. She agreed to take over as the party President - a development that changed the course for the better of the 117-year old party. After two tragic assassinations in the family, of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Smt. Sonia Gandhi had developed a deep aversion for politics. She says, "you never know until the moment comes on you". When the moment came, her determination and commitment to take on the party mantle overpowered her fear of "the abyss" of politics.

"I write to you because I see you taking interest in our family and because I see some glimpses of myself in you and many of my husband’s in my son who is your husband", wrote Indira Gandhi in a letter to Smt. Sonia Gandhi. While these were innate feelings of the former Prime Minister for her daughter-in-law, little must she have known that a day will come years later, when Sonia Gandhi will don the Congress party. Nor even that such developments as have taken place in Indian politics in the last few years, would invite observations on the similarities between the two Gandhi women.

For 6 years after the death of her husband, Smt. Gandhi remained stoically behind closed doors, in the privacy of her home. Making rare public appearances, she lived the life of a virtual recluse, quietly working for the welfare of the people through the NGO, the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. After persistent appeals from all sections of the Congress to save the party, she submitted. In her first press conference after taking over as Congress President, when the media was rife with scathing commentary from Smt. Gandhi’s political opponents, she said : "They don’t know the stuff I am made of." True to her words she has performed a political miracle - combining the strength of Indira Gandhi and the gentleness of Rajiv Gandhi.

In the face severe attacks, it was nothing but Smt. Gandhi’s determination, fortitude and perseverance that helped her overcome the rising decibel levels against her entry into politics. Indeed, it is these attributes that have perhaps made her opponents even more insecure. Some say that Smt. Indira Gandhi’s critics too felt the same way.

As a member of the Grievances Cell of the Congress, I have had the opportunity to glimpse certain sides of her personality. Despite the endless jibes that have been hurled at her, ranging from her nativity to her shying away from the media, Smt. Gandhi has shown that she is neither publicity-hungry nor a self-seeker. Never allowing herself to get provoked, she has preferred a dignified silence to stooping to the level of her bitter adversaries.

In fact, her reticence is often mistaken as remoteness - this is only because she truly shuns publicity that most of her political ilk pursue. Smt. Gandhi always strikes me as humanist who understands the wants and needs of the most deprived sections, the least fortunate - a quality that deepens with her growing personal commitment to her mission for the people. Her concern for the people is an inalienable part of her character, and Indian politics is in dire need of such characters.

The Congress President’s political career as well as fortune is on the rise - there indeed appears no hurdle before her and the country’s Prime Ministership. It is not surprising that her success has made her political opponents, as said earlier, insecure. She is determined to pursue her one-point programme - of fulfilling the dreams of her late husband Rajiv Gandhi for India. I see her as a far-sighted, thinking individual with a refined understanding of humanity. She establishes an instant chemistry and level of comfort with people - I watch her association with India’s masses from whom she derives her strength and inspiration, with fascination.

Her grace and simplicity, her gentleness with the aged or the handicapped are not run-of-the-mill politician’s variety. It emanates from a genuine sense of responsibility. It makes her look the more courageous in the face of adversity. She is by no means the average cynical politician with over-vaulting ambition - the latter appear as caricatures before her. There is an earnestness in her that marks her out from her adversaries. And once she agrees to an involvement, she is never content to let things happen. She wants to make things happen. She is every bit as driven and dynamic as Indira Gandhi was.

Having worked with her closely for over 4 years, I see that she posses the wonderful quality of putting people at perfect ease. She has a natural charm like Rajivji an unmatched charisma, and carries herself with the dignity of Indira Gandhi. When she speaks, whether in the Lok Sabha or at political rallies, she gives voice to the needs of the ordinary people. She is concerned and moved by their problems at all times; some times she even agonises at her inability to help them all.

The verdict of the next general election in 2004 - or earlier - is likely to clear all clouds in the minds of doubting Thomases about how successful the Congress is under the new custodian of the Nehru-Gandhi legacy. "Change is inevitable in human affairs ... New challenges arise, so do new opportunities. The task of statesman is to channel change for the welfare of human kind" (Rajiv Gandhi).

Rajiv Gandhi had once organized a symposium in the memory of Indira Gandhi called, ‘Towards New Beginnings’. Today we are well on course towards new beginnings, for the Congress, with each passing day, is reviving. And I see Smt. Gandhi grow even more in stature. She is already a leader with a clear vision. In time she will be a statesmen too like her late husband and mother-in-law, both of whom worked with dedication till their last breath for this country.