New Delhi: In Congress, the first family, i.e. the Gandhis have always been above any criticism. Victory or defeat, the 'loyal' party leaders never questioned them or blamed them. But things are now changing. After the most humiliating and shocking defeat in the Lok Sabha election, at least some leaders are openly expressing their anger and frustration. The so-called election managers of Team Rahul have come under attack. Both the allies and the party leaders are now baying for their blood.
For the first time, the Gandhi family, particularly Rahul Gandhi, is facing a direct attack from his servile leaders of the Congress.
Former Union minister Milind Deora, who lost South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat, has been very vocal since the decimation of the Congress. Attacking 'Team Rahul' for the collapse of the party, he said, "Everyone needs to share the blame, especially those who felt they had value to add but kept quiet for the past 2-3 years when things weren't going well. Those who were silent are to be blamed as much as those who were giving wrong advice."
Former Union minister Ashwani Kumar has even demanded that the Congress chief Sonia Gandhi take charge of the party and Rahul help her in rebuilding it.
The election managers of Congress, Jairam Ramesh and co, are under attack for the failure. Senior leaders of the party are blaming Rahul Gandhi's coterie for their lack of ground level knowledge and 'corporate-style arrogant behaviour' and handling of the campaign. Rahul's close aide Kanishka Singh is also under attack for making Rahul inaccessible to the party leaders and workers.
The oldest ally of the Congress, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has openly attacked Rahul for his lack of charisma and disconnect.
In an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Chandrika', it writes, "An inexperienced Gandhi leading the elections made implementation of tactics easy for Narendra Modi. He did not realise that going from one place to another was not enough to feel the pulse of country. Rahul took into confidence only a few from his young coterie. In this election, the war room of the party was shifted to Gandhi's residence, where seasoned leaders were forced to remain outside. The Rahul brigade did not learn from the defeat of the party in the Assembly elections in various states. The Congress did not have an attractive slogan for this election. The party failed to make the elections into a battle between two ideologies. However, the decision for total revamp of the party is a good omen."
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also feels that the National Conference (NC) and Congress should part ways before the Assembly election later this year.
In the past, the NCP chief, Sharad Pawar, had made indirect attacks on Rahul several times.
Many state level leaders of the party feel that Rahul Gandhi must step down and allow seasoned leaders to rebuild the party.
The Congress has now decided to go for a complete rejig of the organisation. There will be more focus on state leaders. Senior leaders will be asked to reach out to grassroot workers and communicate effectively. Rahul's team is likely to face the heat. Those who were in charge of the campaign and failed to deliver will be asked to explain the failure. Younger leaders are now likely to be given charge, but seniors will be given added importance. Rahul and Sonia are expected to travel across India to enthuse the highly demoralized cadre.
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