Worried Sonia mulls revival recipe

                                                                       

New Delhi, April 11: Congress president Sonia Gandhi is “extremely upset” about the miserable plight of the party and the Union government but is unsure of the remedy after Rahul Gandhi’s best efforts failed in Uttar Pradesh, sources said.

The party’s organisational health in many important states is not any less of a worry for Sonia. In Maharashtra, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has not been able to take the party machinery along while the deepening crisis in Andhra Pradesh has raised fears of doom in the state that was the engine of the Congress’s national comeback. Powerful dissidence against Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has come as an additional burden.

Leaders who have met her in the last 10 days or so reveal that Sonia is “very worried” and appears to be in a “fiery mood” but is not clear about the future course of action.

“She is unhappy with lots of people and would like to make drastic changes but no one knows up to what extent she can implement her plans. The entrenched forces confuse her and create situations to perpetuate status quo,” a senior leader said.

In the Punjab Congress unit, a revolt-like situation is brewing against the hegemony of Amrinder Singh. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana and Maharashtra are waiting for new pradesh committee chiefs. Sources said Rahul was in favour of taking risks in order to create a new leadership but Sonia’s cautious approach has so far restrained him. Some leaders believe Sonia too is angry enough now to brush aside the advice of those who keep warning her against “adventurism”.

A decision has to be taken now as the next round of battles — elections are due in BJP-held Gujarat and Himachal — is far more difficult. 

Many leaders have complained to Sonia against the ministers’ “arrogance” and “inaccessibility” and have demanded total overhaul of the Union cabinet if the party still nurtures hopes of a victory in 2014.

The party’s organisational health in many important states is not any less of a worry for Sonia. In Maharashtra, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has not been able to take the party machinery along while the deepening crisis in Andhra Pradesh has raised fears of doom in the state that was the engine of the Congress’s national comeback. Powerful dissidence against Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has come as an additional burden.