Sonia heads a shaky alliance

If Rahul Gandhi is in retreat in a Buddhist monastery in Myanmar, as rumours have it, then he can be said to be imitating, in part, the Sakya prince, who left home and hearth 2,500 years ago to find out the meaning of life.In the Congress' heir-apparent's case, however, his quest is seemingly for finding his own rightful place in the 130-year-old party. Why he decided to a take a break is not clear but some of the effects of his absence are becoming clear.Unlike in matters of love, where absence makes the heart grow fonder, it is the opposite in politics where being present at crucial moments make or break a leader.

Speculation that the Congress may not be in a hurry to anoint him as party president suggests that the dauphin may have taken a false step.For one, Sonia Gandhi's assumption of the leadership role despite her indifferent health suggests a realization that she may have reposed too much faith in Rahul's capability and willingness to take charge.Even if Rahul is appointed the president, it will be an act of tokenism.The Congress is probably hoping that the 10-odd parties, which are with it, will give it an edge in the matter of numbers.

But these include some of the parties, such as the Janata Dal-United and the Rashtriya Janata Dal whose attempts to set up a new party have come a cropper, apparently because of ego hassles.If Anna is deemed a spent force, so in a way are the Communists, who joined the march to Rashtrapati Bhavan. The INLD leaders are in jail. The influence of the RJD and the Janata Dal-United is limited to Bihar. Sonia, therefore, can be said to be leading a somewhat ramshackle alliance even as her son's absence casts a shadow on the Congress' future prospects.

By Amulya Ganguli