Rahul’s sabbatical raises vital questions

Those who work hard are at times in need of renewal, especially when they are in search of fresh ideas to take their commitment forward. To that extent, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi going on a few weeks’ “sabbatical” is understandable. But what is intriguing is its timing, which coincides with the opening day of the Budget Session of Parliament.

A string of reverses, starting with last year’s Lok Sabha election, can be demoralising for the Congress. Modification of the party’s agenda without altering its credo ought to be on the cards. There is no question that restructuring the party’s organisation may also be urgently called for. Concepts surrounding collaboration with other parties will also have to be refined, and terms of engagement thought through.

Apparently, the session of the AICC to be held in early April is the time when some of this may become clearer. As Mr Gandhi may be playing a key role at the next AICC, perhaps a sabbatical will give him the opportunity to clear his head regarding his own future role since he has been cast in the mould of prime mover.

Nevertheless, for the most prominent leader of the country’s principal Opposition party who is seen as heir apparent, the needed break should have been taken weeks before the commencement of the first Parliament session, which Mr Gandhi could have used to rally his followers through speeches on matters of substance.

Not for the first time in the 10 years he has been in Parliament, the Congress vice-president seems to be surrendering the opportunity to present his case before the country from the nation’s highest political forum. This will no doubt please his opponents outside the Congress and rivals within who may be in search of a vacuum.

Needless to say, none of this applies if Mr Gandhi is torn between the need to persevere through the rough and tumble of politics and the need to juggle with the idealistic notions of purging his party of unwholesome influences by sacrificing the opportunity to lead the Congress that could be his for the asking, with idealism triumphing over pragmatism. In that case too, the Congress should allow the true position to crystallise.

These are indeed vital questions not only for the Congress but for the country, for democracy must have a robust Opposition. The post-defeat AICC has been deferred way too long. The country would be eager to know which way the Congress is headed. Too much of immediate politics is tied to the issue.