15 years in power: Why Sonia's renunciation of power worked

New Delhi, March 15: Ask any married woman how she adopted herself in her in-laws house after marriage, and answer won't be a clear cut one. There will be lot of ifs, buts and pauses associated with the answer.

Perhaps, after remaining 15 years in the helm of affairs in Congress, the party President Sonia Gandhi might not act like a newly-wed bride confused about her position. Her detractors still call her the Italian daughter-in-law of Gandhi family, who after her husband Rajiv's assassination remained almost alienated from active politics.

However, she joined Congress in 1997, when it was undergoing tumultuous situation and managed to save the sinking boat of the Party. Not, only she saved the fortunes of Congress, but under her leadership she helped Congress-led UPA won General Elections of 2004 with a clear cut mandate.

But, she refused to adorn the chair of Prime Minister of the country. Instead she appointed economist Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister.

Her refusal to grab power at a time when it was offered to her with great generosity helped her won many hearts. Perhaps that is when the cult of Sonia Gandhi was build in a very clever manner. As her 16th year as Congress President was commemorated by the party, Sonia minced no words to reveal that it "not an easy task" to head the party for so long.

"It was not not an easy task. But it was made possible due to your support and the love and affection of the grass root and ordinary workers which made the task easier and the credit goes to them," 66-year-old Gandhi told party leaders.

But, under her leadership Congress party is once again struggling, as several of its leaders are accused of corruption cases. Congress has become akin to corruption. It is time again for Sonia to invent a new theory to revamp the party and its prospects for next General Elections slated in few months from now.

OneIndia News