Mani Shankar Aiyar: The fall guy
Mani Shankar Aiyar: The fall guy
“On18 December 2017 the results for both Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat will be out. But, Rahul Gandhi has played his part so well, that he will win even if both the states are lost.”
PM candidate in 2014 Lok Sabha elections
BJP had declared Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi as their Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha election. There were similar demands made on Congress to present Rahul Gandhi, son of former PM Rajiv Gandhi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, as their Prime Ministerial candidate. Congress, though after it’s ten-year rule, had a fair idea as to what direction the wind was blowing. They knew after the mess they had left behind, no amount of political manoeuvring would save them from a complete wipeout. There was no way, they would expose their scion to such a test. A valiant defeat is a matter of pride but a wipe out is humiliating. Rahul Gandhi stayed as Vice President and Congress did not anoint any PM candidate.
People’s leader
Even before their second term had ended, they had, however, started planning for the elections. The 2019 Lok Sabha elections that is. Elaborate strategies were concocted to present Rahul distinctly from the government and the party as anti-graft and pro-poor and somebody who was willing to fight his own for the sake of justice. His vehement outburst against his party-led coalition government’s ordinance to protect tainted politicians was theatrically (as well as comically) done. The fact that the party saw in Rahul their future was evident to all. Timing was a matter of conjecture though. When would Rahul be plunged headlong into the leadership role, was the question on every political analyst’s mind.
Failed attempt
BJP government took a couple of high-risk steps (demonetization and GST implementation). The way they were implemented, was widely criticised. In the wake of these criticisms, came crucial state elections in some key states including Uttar Pradesh. The time was ripe, almost opportune, and Congress went for it. Rahul, still as Vice President, led the election campaign for his party in UP and took all the important decisions. Sadly, almost all the decisions fell flat and a disgraced Rahul was left with nothing but a chant of EVM tampering.
Redemption
Fortunately, there were two more state elections coming up. Eyes glittering with a chance of redemption, Congress and Rahul were also circumspect. He was to lead them, but his immature shoulders were to be shielded from all possible burden of defeat.
Himachal Pradesh has historically never voted for the incumbent ruling party. The opposition in one term almost surely becomes the ruling party in the next term. So, with Congress already in power there, Rahul and his party put all their forces in Gujarat instead which has been under BJP rule for 22 years.
Despite 22 years of anti-incumbency factor in their favour, Congress decided to leave no stone unturned. They formed a number of key alliances with agitators (Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mewani and Alpesh Thakur) of different communities including Patidars, Dalits and OBCs. They have also heavily attacked Modi and BJP and have exploited every possible chink that they could find or fabricate in the armour of the formidable ruling party.
They stand a good chance as well. Everybody knows it. Even the BJP knows it. A defeat in Gujarat at this juncture could be a serious set back for BJP’s plans for the next Lok Sabha elections and would set Rahul as the undisputed leader of Congress. It would also mean that Congress can go ahead and name Rahul as the leader the country so desperately needs.
Hedging
The stakes have never been higher. One last bit gambit to hedge the risk of loss is still required. Who would take the fall for loss in Gujarat despite such overwhelming odds in their favour?
Cometh the hour, cometh the saviour. And the man for the hour is the Congress veteran and loyal, Shri Mani Shankar Aiyer. In a well-planned move, just before the final phase of campaigning, he calls the PM Modi “neech admi”. He is widely criticised for it and the BJP makes full use of the phrase to score some final round points. Mr Aiyer, being a gentleman, apologises for his inadvertent mistake owing to his poor command of Hindi language and accepts to take all the blame and punishment for any damage that his remarks would cause in the Gujarat elections.
All temples have been visited and all risks have been hedged. If Congress wins Rahul is the undisputed hero. On the other hand, if they lose, they have a fall guy ready to take all the blame. Thus, in December 2017 Rahul files nomination papers for the presidency of the oldest party in the country. He is the only one to do so, apparently owing to his party’s strong belief in his leadership capabilities.
People’s view
Well played Mr Gandhi. We acknowledge and salute your political acumen. On18 December 2017 the results for both Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat will be out. But, you have played your part so well, that you will win even if both states are lost. You are the real Bazigar.
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