By Harshit Pande
Max Weber defined charismatic authority as one “resting on devotion to the exceptional sanctity, heroism or exemplary character of an individual person, and of the normative patterns or order revealed or ordained by him.” Charisma is the word. This may seem something like a last resort for the ruling party to some. After heavy losses in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Congress has certainly come to the conclusion that only Rahul cannot perk up its clumsy image. Narendra Modi, and now the Aam Aadmi Arvind Kejriwal are looming threats to the Congress and the heir apparent to the throne. In the light of the prevailing circumstances, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra?s involvement in important Congress meetings has led to speculations about her joining active electoral politics.
The Indian society is family centered and the Indian thought is of the view that it is natural and acceptable for a parent who has any form of power to want to hand it over to the progeny. The idea of inheritance by the progeny to continue the legacy of the parents is ever so well settled in our minds. And that is how a dynasty perpetuates in India.
There have been requests made of Priyanka to contest elections from Sonia?s constituency once Sonia retires. Her striking similarity with her grandmother Indira, her image as a housewife, and the fact that she is ?bitiya Priyanka?, the daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter of the prime ministers of India all speak of untapped dynastic charisma she possesses. She had been seen campaigning alongside the politically active members of her family during which time, she created an icon of herself. If and when that silent icon becomes a politically active one in the near future, the minds of the masses are bound to be influenced by the factor of her ancestry and by her own charisma. An image such as hers can rejuvenate Rahul?s and Congress? drooping image in today?s political scene. She complements rather than overshadows Rahul?s public persona and can be a contributing factor in Congress? victory in the upcoming elections.
Congress? decision to include Priyanka more closely in its affairs may be a shrewd one. She may be a messiah for the ruling party accused of widespread corruption, and inflation over the past two terms of its rule. This Indira-lookalike is a reminder to the people of what her family has done for the country. Rahul?s charisma may have worn off in the light of criticisms of lack of leadership and his image of a ?mamma?s boy?, but Priyanka?s charisma still awaits exploitation for the benefit of the party in the 2014 elections.
The 2014 Lok Sabha Elections are all set to be an interesting battle between the enormous Modi-wave, the unexpectedly successful Aam Aadmi, and the dynastic charisma of the Gandhis. The voters will decide who gets to rule. Nevertheless, the three directions in which the voters are expected to move towards will provide useful insights into what strategy is the best to woo the masses.
Harshit Pande: Is a first year student at National Law University, Odisha pursuing a B.A. L.L.B degree. Is keenly interested in sociology, psychology and history, though finds time for literature and philosophy. Loves to read, and at times writes. Is a firm libertarian. Feel free to contact him at [email protected]
