Sonia
Gandhi's political ambitions constitute one of the most enduring mysteries of our time. No
one knows exactly who triggered the euphoria over Sonia's apparent willingness to campaign
in a snap general election. Some believe it was Arjun Singh, others blame it on Mani
Shankar Aiyar's pathological obsession with the Jain Commission report and yet others
argue that the go-ahead wink came from Sonia's secretary V. George. Whatever the truth, it
was the expectation of the inscrutable Madam joining battle that forced the CWC to take an
extreme position on the DMK. Likewise, it was a belated realisation that Sonia's
involvement could not be taken for granted -- indeed she could end up not lending her name
to the Congress campaign at all -- that sent the hawkish MPs running to Kesri for cover.
On her part, Sonia has done nothing to either encourage or discourage these beliefs.
Firmly committed to her husband's memory, she was said to be unhappy at the UF's attempt
to sully Rajiv's reputation during the Jain Commission debate in Parliament. So Congress
MPs did what family loyalty made them do: disrupt proceedings. That achieved, no one is
quite sure what exactly Madam wants to do next. For the beleaguered Congress,
Sonia-watching is fast becoming an occupational hazard.
Sonia
Gandhi's political ambitions constitute one of the most enduring mysteries of our time. No
one knows exactly who triggered the euphoria over Sonia's apparent willingness to campaign
in a snap general election. Some believe it was Arjun Singh, others blame it on Mani
Shankar Aiyar's pathological obsession with the Jain Commission report and yet others
argue that the go-ahead wink came from Sonia's secretary V. George. Whatever the truth, it
was the expectation of the inscrutable Madam joining battle that forced the CWC to take an
extreme position on the DMK. Likewise, it was a belated realisation that Sonia's
involvement could not be taken for granted -- indeed she could end up not lending her name
to the Congress campaign at all -- that sent the hawkish MPs running to Kesri for cover.
On her part, Sonia has done nothing to either encourage or discourage these beliefs.
Firmly committed to her husband's memory, she was said to be unhappy at the UF's attempt
to sully Rajiv's reputation during the Jain Commission debate in Parliament. So Congress
MPs did what family loyalty made them do: disrupt proceedings. That achieved, no one is
quite sure what exactly Madam wants to do next. For the beleaguered Congress,
Sonia-watching is fast becoming an occupational hazard.
