Why the Congress Party Struggles to Find a Competitive Leader

Why the Congress Party Struggles to Find a Competitive Leader

Introduction

The Indian National Congress (INC) is often viewed as a family-owned enterprise, where leadership is handed down through a single dynasty. This traditional approach has left the party struggling to find a competitive leader capable of driving meaningful change and standing up to the challenges of modern politics.

Dependency on Political Dynasty

For the past 70 years, the Congress Party has relied heavily on a hereditary leadership style rather than merit or the expertise of broader talent. The party's dependence on the Surname of the Father of the Nation and the current leader, Rahul Gandhi, has resulted in a lack of alternative, strong leaders. Dynasty culture has become so entrenched that any emerging leader must be of a similar stature to be considered.

Implications of Dynastic Leadership

The concept of dynastic leadership, often referred to as the "blessed" model, is fundamentally at odds with the principles of meritocracy. According to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, the fittest individuals should survive, yet the Congress Party's approach hinders the evolution of strong leaders. This model has failed to produce a competent leader since Narasimha Rao, the last prime minister from the party who was not from the Gandhi family.

Challenges in Party Building

The Congress Party faces significant challenges in grooming new leaders, particularly when the party is run by a dominant family. Dominant family politics often suppress the rise of other strong leaders within the party. The current leader, Rahul Gandhi, and his lineage create a barrier to the emergence of new, independent voices.

Institutionalized Chaos

The persistent issues within the Congress Party are summarized in a popular metaphor: a party in a government bungalow, where negotiations and discussions are held over Italian wine, Italian pizza, and other such luxuries. This metaphor highlights the lack of a structured decision-making process and the resistance to change from within.

Older members of the party, who no longer enjoy the indulgences of the past, have quietly stepped back, while those who wish to participate are barred from doing so. The situation is perpetuated by a small group of power brokers who ensure that only those who will be compliant with the dynasty's interests are considered.

Future Outlook

The current lack of leadership quality and the entrenched culture of dynastic rule are unlikely to change unless the party rewards meritocracy. As long as the dynasty demands a figurehead who is willing to take the blame for failures while giving credit to the family for successes, strong leaders are unlikely to emerge.

The youth within the INC remains disinterested until they are assured of a free hand in deciding the future of the party. For the party to survive and thrive, it must adopt a merit-based approach to leadership. Failure to do so could result in the party's decline and loss of relevance in Indian politics.