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Clash
of the Coteries
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| Arjun
(top) and George are on the backburner |
Nothing
irks Congress President Sonia Gandhi more than the charge that she is
easily manipulated by a small group of people referred to in Congress
circles as the coterie. After Ahmed Patel quit as AICC treasurer in July
because of palace intrigues, Sonia has found a way out of the coterie
conundrum. She patronises two coteries instead of one.
The first
or the primordial coterie comprises two people - private secretary Vincent
George and senior leader Arjun Singh. They are the only two she trusts.
But since the duo is anathema to partymen, she has put them on the backburner.
George is no longer in exclusive charge of her appointments. Sonia avoids
including them in any formal consultation. The duo operates through party
General Secretary Oscar Fernandes who is a member of the second coterie.
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| Reigning
Troika: Soni, Scindia and Fernandes are currently the favoured favourites |
The second
coterie, created to countervail the first, comprises Lok Sabha Deputy
Leader Madhavrao Scindia, General Secretary Ambika Soni and Fernandes.
This is currently the reigning coterie. The troika forms the review committee
that meets Sonia each day at 9.30 a.m., advising her on political and
party matters. Congressmen seeking Sonia's ear or currying favour normally
gather at Scindia's home and Soni's office. "Coterie is a convenient
peg to hang one's opposition," says Scindia, referring to Prasada's
campaign. Which means that if this coterie gets too hot politically, Sonia
will move to the next one.
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