THE UPA has finally decided to kill the draft ordinance protecting convicted legislators from immediate disqualification, in contravention of the Supreme Court ruling. Rahul Gandhi was on the warpath denouncing the ordinance. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was in the US. But Rahul Gandhi pressed on regardless. Even Sonia Gandhi blamed him for using intemperate language. Of course, the withdrawal of the ordinance has exposed the divisiveness of the Congress and the UPA. Already two prominent legislators—former cabinet minister Laloo Prasad Yadav and a Rajya Sabha MP Rasheed Masood– have been arrested and disqualified. It may be a blow to the UPA but a victory for honest governance. If it has diminished the status of the PM and his cabinet, they had only themselves to thank for it. The BJP, especially its prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi have not covered themselves with glory, disregarding principles and attacking the Gandhi dynasty. At the same time, they have sought to uphold the position of the PM. Manmohan Singh was selected by Sonia Gandhi for the exalted position and she has expressed full confidence in him.
One may quibble over the fact that the tirade from the Congress Vice-President attacking the cabinet decision has set an unhealthy precedent. This is not the first time that the prime minister’s authority has been challenged from outside his government. But this time it was in a good cause. It is not only the rift between the UPA and the Congress that took centre-stage. The allies did not say much. It was the BJP which showed itself in unfavourable colours. Can Rahul Gandhi’s outburst be dismissed simply as an impulsive action? Or was it a youthful demonstration of his passion for probity? Manmohan Singh will not quit and Mr. Clean of the Congress should be expected to grapple with the situation with his sagacity. Whether or not the chapter enhances the image of the younger section of the Congress is open to question. But one recalls what Sonia Gandhi emphasized on becoming AICC president years ago—principles should take precedence over number crunching to grab power.