Can Rahul reform his party - and system?

While the idea is laudable - it is really an iteration of the process of decentralization which has long been talked about - Rahul gave no indication as to how he was going to implement it and whether he would begin by breaking up the 'high command' structure comprising his mother and himself.



In the absence of specifics, it isn't surprising that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused him of being "confused". It is possible, of course, that he hasn't yet given his ideas a concrete shape. But, if his objective is really to shake up the organizational structure, then it is obvious that, first, he will not take up the onerous job of being prime minister in the foreseeable future. And, secondly, that his primary focus may not be on the forthcoming general election at all. After all, a leader engaged in the process of reinventing his party will not be able to concentrate on the dos and don'ts of a major contest.

It is probably this scenario which made Manmohan Singh hint at his continuance as prime minister if the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) wins a third term in office. What this also means is that he will have freer run in pushing for reforms unlike the earlier period when Sonia's focus on the leftist prescriptions of the National Advisory Council led by her impeded the reforms process.

The fallout cannot but be beneficial for the UPA since a buoyant economy will boost its political prospects. At the same time, if Rahul can seriously introduce an element of democratic functioning in the Congress, then the party can hope to return to its glory days when its corridors of power in the centre and in the states were full of towering personalities.