Editor,
After some hesitation Priyanka Gandhi has entered electoral politics and will start her political journey from Wayanad. This must be appreciated since Priyanka Gandhi has shown astute political acumen for a while now. This will hopefully encourage many of her age and calling to enter into the rough and tumble of electoral politics which in turn can strengthen democracy in the country. Sonia Gandhi had herself taken a long time to decide to enter politics but having once entered it she made her presence felt in the Congress Party. In Priyanka’s case, ever since her brother won the Lok Sabha election from Amethi in 2004 she took to active politics after being nominated as AICC general secretary in 2019.
The present nomination only shows that the Congress Party has grown confident now to field her in a constituency which still is a safe bet, given its past record and the current political realities. Priyanka too may have felt the need for a larger and meaningful role to play in parliamentary politics. Priyanka Gandhi’s victory will be a morale booster for the Congress party as it had disastrous runs in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This time the Congress has touched the three-digit mark, led by a president who does not come from the Gandhi family. Priyanka Gandhi’s main opponent will be fielded by CPI which is a partner in INDIA alliance but at present it is not sure whether it will put up any candidate against Priyanka Gandhi.
Priyanka Gandhi’s candidature from Wayanad represents a calculated risk by the Congress to consolidate its influence in South India while retaining a foothold in the North. Wayanad ,a constituency known for its high literacy rate and diverse demographics, is seen as a relatively secure seat for the Congress and with the help of Wayanad, the Congress will be able to expand its base in South India
Priyanka’s debut into electoral politics shows that she is becoming politically active This also signals that she is geared up to be part of the core decision-making and would not be confined to electioneering and assisting her brother Rahul on an ad hoc basis.
Rahul Gandhi who is at present Leader of Opposition in Parliament is playing a good role and has taken mature decisions. Rahul Gandhi attended the swearing in ceremony of Omar Abdullah but refrained from joining the Ministry. The brother and sister duo can play a positive and constructive role in the Lok Sabha. With the defeat of the Congress in Haryana, the victory of Priyanka from Wayanad will have a positive impact on Congress workers who are demoralized after the Haryana elections.
A lot needs to be done at the organisational level as the party’s cadre has been in disarray for a long time. After the assembly elections of Haryana the Congress party has to be careful about the assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand where media reports are emerging that the BJP has improved its position. This will be a litmus test for the Congress to show good performance in Maharashtra and Jharkhand as well as in bye election in many states including the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat.
Posters declaring her as “Wayanadinte Priyankari” (Wayanad’s beloved) reflect growing local support. She has promised to continue Rahul’s work in the constituency. This also reflects the ground level support of the voters which will hopefully be converted to votes so that she wins with a thumping majority. Thereafter her role could shift from a family figure to an influential political leader. It would also be interesting to watch Priyanka in the Lok Sabha raising issues of public interest.
Yours etc.,
Yash Pal Ralhan,
Via email
Caste-based reservation imperative
Editor,
First of all, I would like to thank the writer of the letter, “Caste based reservation issues” (ST, October 17, 2024) for sharing her/her (the name of the author was withheld on request) opinion on my letter about caste based reservation and for admitting that caste based discrimination remains a harsh reality. A question has been raised in that letter whether simply providing reservation is the best way to end caste discrimination. The author is absolutely right in pointing out that true change will come from education, awareness, and a shift in mindset.
Now, should we wait for the ideal day when there will be a shift in mindset? Should we not give positive discrimination in favour of the backward castes considering the situation at present? However, there is no doubt that caste reservation alone cannot bring about a change. It must be complemented with education that will enlighten us about the ugliness of caste discrimination and caste hatred.
Caste reservation is not an ideal thing either. It is after all a tool for discrimination. In an ideal world, any kind of positive discrimination or reservation will not be required. A memorable incident happened at the Metro Railway Kolkata, five years ago. There was no trace of Covid at that time and I was only one year shy of becoming a senior citizen. I was returning home and was standing before a general seat in a Metro coach, not before a seat reserved for the senior citizens.
A young man in his twenties stood up vacating his seat and asked me to sit there. I declined the offer saying that I was quite okay. Seeing that he was not in a mood to listen to me, I forcibly pushed him to sit again telling him that I had no problem in standing. But again he stood up. Then he said with all the love in the world, “bolchhi tumi boso (I am telling you to sit).”
In Kolkata Metro Railway coaches, some seats are reserved for women and a few seats for senior citizens and people with disabilities. But there would have been no need to reserve seats for anyone if all the people were like that young man. The reservation signboards over some seats actually indicate that there are many passengers who do not have enough compassion. The reservation of seats in a train, therefore, acts as a necessary antidote to inhumanity.
Similarly, reservation on the basis of caste indicates that caste hatred, untouchability, and caste favouritism are there in our society. We need caste reservation as an antidote to caste based nepotism. There will be no need for any kind of reservation when all the people become as good as that young man.
The author raised another pertinent question about class. He said, “But I believe the time has come to shift the focus towards considering economic status alongside caste, ensuring that those who genuinely need assistance receive it, regardless of their caste.” I agree with this point so long it deals with scholarships and financial aid. But a person’s financial status should not be judged for giving her or him the benefit of reservation because class is not a permanent identity like one’s caste, community, and state.
A government can easily address the problem of the poor by providing them with free education including higher education, free health care, and social security, which many countries do, and rank high in the human development indices. The participation of every state and every community in the formation of selected and elected parts of the government is a must in a democracy.
There should be equitable representation both in elected (MPs) and selected (bureaucrats) personnel of the government. A state and caste quota for MPs as well as a state and caste quota for bureaucrats only can ensure it.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata