NO MATTER the assertion by Congress leader Mr. Shashi Tharoor that he and the party leadership are “on the same page” and all is “good”, those who know the internal atmosphere of the party will take the statement with a pinch (or, a bagful ?) of salt. For, what has been happening in the Congress party for the past 10-plus years does not suggest that all is well. Much to the contrary, enough indications are available to stress that the party is internally in the shambles -- simply because the collective leadership is not on the same page, because nobody seems to agree with anybody -- except those few who love towing the line of the Gandhi family. Seen from this angle, Mr. Tharoor’s “we-are-on-the-same-page” statement cannot be taken on its face value.

 

It needs to be examined in real terms and not in terms of political rhetoric. It is possible that during his meeting with Congress President Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge and leader Mr. Rahul Gandhi, Mr. Tharoor was promised about certain internal reforms in the party. Possibly, he was made to feel important and got invited to join some decision-making mechanism in the party -- so that he gets a sense of participation at the highest level. And if this is so, then the statement of being on the “same page” makes little sense. For, it does not promise actual reforms in the party in a true sense. Just a few days ago, another Congress leader -- Mr. Shakeel Ahmed -- had blasted Mr. Rahul Gandhi for leading the party to repeated failure. Many other Congress leaders and workers also felt similarly, though they did not speak up openly. Many constituent parties in the Opposition I.N.D.I. Alliance also felt that Mr. Shakeel Ahmed was making an honest and frank statement that highlighted the internal situation in the Congress party.

 

Leaders of many constituents of the Opposition camp have been airing their views frankly about the internal damage the Congress party has suffered over time due to inept leadership of Mr. Rahul Gandhi. And here is Mr. Shashi Tharoor making that assertion that he and the party leadership are on the same page. Certainly, something is cooking in the Congress party -- possibly positively, possibly favourably. If that is really so, then that may be a good news for the party that has seen defeat after electoral defeat in the past few years -- under Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. No matter its political reverses, the Congress party does have popular goodwill all over the country, and common people would certainly welcome good developments taking place in its folds -- as hinted at by Mr. Shashi Tharoor. Yet, Mr. Tharoor’s assertion appears to have been made without much conviction. Its words may be positive, but its tone may be questionable.

 

Who knows, some time later, Mr. Tharoor may emerge as a defeated, disappointed, dejected man following his failed attempts to spruce up the party internally ! For, such has been the fate of many Congress leaders -- many of whom even chose to leave the party in search of other political pursuits in the past some years. Persons like Mr. Kapil Sibal, Acharya Pramod Krishnam, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mr. Jatin Prakash among many others felt fully frustrated trying to reform the party, and gave up and stepped out. Let us only hope that Mr. Shashi Tharoor does not suffer a similar fate. There is no doubt that Mr. Tharoor is a unique personality. He has often felt strongly that reforms in the Congress party need a strong push. He tried achieving that by contesting presidential election. Despite that loss, he talked with a sense of restraint. He was criticised, too, for siding with Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi on several counts. Yet, Mr. Tharoor did not lose his sense of balance and continued expressing his loyalty to Congress in his own way -- which won him respect of the people. Now, he appears to be making another attempt. Let us wait and watch how far he can go.