Sonia in Rajya Sabha

SONIA Gandhi was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Amethi in 1999. When she emerged victorious from Rae Bareli for the fifth time in 2019, it was the only seat the Congress could win in Uttar Pradesh. The former party chief had announced that it would be her last election. Amid health concerns, the 77-year-old leader’s nomination for the Rajya Sabha polls from Rajasthan signals her exit from General Elections. With the Congress certain to win one seat from the state, Sonia is set to serve her first term in the Upper House. As the Congress gasps for breath in the face of the BJP blitzkrieg, the party would hope that the matriarch’s decision to maintain her presence in Parliament sends an uplifting message. But will it?

In the larger scheme of things, the unmaking of the INDIA bloc with just months to go for Lok Sabha polls is the gravest challenge at hand. As the Opposition alliance falters, the prospects of the combined opposition taking on the might of the BJP are getting dimmer by the day. Who contests in Sonia’s place from Rae Bareli is of little interest, unless Rahul or Priyanka is brave enough to throw the hat into the ring. Rahul was shown the door in the family borough of Amethi in 2019. Priyanka was in the forefront of the Uttar Pradesh campaign during the 2022 Assembly elections. Either or both contesting from UP can galvanise the Congress. Any hope of securing victory would still require the support of allies.

Once dismissed as a housewife and Rajiv Gandhi’s widow, Sonia was installed as the party president in 1998. She also helmed the Congress-led UPA, which was in power for two consecutive terms. On the whole, she may count success and failure in equal measure. As she gets ready for a new innings, her party looks bereft of ideas and leadership. She can’t escape blame for the Congress’ plummeting fortunes.

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