A 'Catch 22' situation
The poll schedule to elect the new president of the Indian National Congress will get under way. An impression earlier was made public that the party might elect a non-Gandhi chief this time. This has led the Congress party to dawdle which can be made out in deferring the poll till Diwali instead of September 20, by which date the election of a new party chief was claimed to be completed. But it is not lost on the public that the Congress party's soft spot (read flattery) for the Gandhis is well known for its regular repetitions.
Be that as it may, during this period a lot of drama is expected over the choice of a probable non-Gandhi nomination. But, a presumption may be drawn that ultimately it will be either of the Gandhi siblings-Rahul or Priyanka- being trumpeted as a unanimous choice of the party. In the contrary case, a non-Gandhi chief may be installed while making extraordinary provision for the Gandhi family to be in full control over the party. As a third option, a contest will be stage managed between a Gandhi sibling (most likely Rahul Gandhi)and a non-Gandhi nominee clinching a sure victory for the former. As of now, the matter is a 'catch-22' situation for the party. But it heads for a sensational dramatic end.
Pannalal Dey
Guwahati