For the first time in parliamentary history, the party's holy trinity will rule the filial faithful: materfamilias Sonia Gandhi and her boisterous brood Rahul and Priyanka. An entire family playing discrete roles in the establishment is normally found in a monarchy or a dictatorship. This time, the unique troika has only one role in democracy: take on Narendra Modi's BJP in parliament.
Though MP families are legion, the Gandhis are an institution of inheritance as their party's political face and ideological soul. Its organizational hierarchy being symbolic, the words of the three Gandhis are the unwritten law. The legislative role of the triple timocrats is the current conversation among the party's timorous trucklers. By precedent, it is clear each Gandhi will have an unambiguous role that defines their role and rule.
Saint Sonia: Canonised by personal tragedy and professional longevity, silence is her most powerful weapon. She will stay away from day-to-day politics. The 77-year-old leading lady has been politically active for the past 26 years, portraying herself as Joan of Arc against the BJP and Modi. She keeps the non-BJP parties together without making mutual personal attacks, unlike some Congress netas do. Though local leaders in West Bengal, Delhi and Kerala wax vitriolic against Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Pinarayi Vijayan, personal mudslinging is not her habit. Because of her perceived neutrality and sobriety, her acceptability as UPA and Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson is supreme. Her hagiographic halo is derived from her self-denial of prime ministership in 2004 to keep the opposition united and installing a 16-party UPA coalition that ran the country for a decade.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE MASTER WHO REMAINS A STUDENT
Filmmaker Mani Ratnam opens up in a candid conversation with Gautham Vasudev Menon, reflecting on his creative process, and his enduring humility in the face of a celebrated four-decade career
YEAR OF ORIGINS
Six exceptional prequel films prove how 2024 is one of the best years for origin stories
Kili chronicles
Sudarson Sah, known as the Birdman of Chennai, takes us through personal stories behind the shots of Meiyazhagan and his experiences of parenting and feeding birds and animals
Tumbbad-fame Pankaj Kumar to make directorial debut
According to reports, Tumbbad (2018) cinematographer Pankaj Kumar will be making his directorial debut with the tribal actioner, titled Konyak.
Tiny greens, big impact
• What are microgreens? Microgreens refer to young plants, typically harvested after the first two to four leaves emerge. They are used fresh, as toppings for salads, sandwiches, or soups, providing a gourmet touch and a health boost.
POWER OF POETRY
BODIES, caste, sexuality, desire, and violence—these topics filled the poems penned by Malathi, Kutty Revathi, Salam, and Sukirtharani, in the early 2000s. A new vocabulary of feminist writing slowly solidified.
Sculpting balance
What does it mean to live in harmony with nature? How do we, as modern humans, reconcile assurance with balance or abundance with convenience?
GETTING OFF MEDICATION AGAINST DOCTOR'S ADVICE CAN LEAD TO HEART DISEASE
GEORGE (name changed), from Cherthala in Kerala, was 41 when he found out he has high cholesterol during a routine health checkup.
A future where age is just a number
What if we could spend most of our lives in good health?
Gukesh loses as Ding pulls off a classic
After four hours and change in the humble, unglamorous everyday office chair, Ding Liren finally got up. He left the playing hall for a break.
