How prudent is Sonia's decision?

She created a history in contemporary times by distancing herself from power even though the party she so assiduously led in a critical juncture is heading the coalition government. Sonia Gandhi, the undisputed leader of the Indian National Congress which has won most seats as a single party, left all stunned. Her gesture saw emotional supporters wailing, resorting to strikes, threatening to resign en masse from Congress working committee and some even to shoot themselves unless she and only she became the new leader of the nation fulfilling their aspirations.

Sonia herself broke down in emotion watching the avalanche of love but did not budge from the decision. She said it is inner soul that has dictated her to remain away from the premiership and this is in the best of the interest for the country and people. Supporters began to reconcile with the reality that she would not reconsider the decision and India would have a new prime minister who is not from the famous political Nehru family that has led the Congress and ruled India for most time after independence. She proposed the name of a senior party leader, who is known for his ability as a good administrator particularly in the areas of economy and also for impeccable integrity. Dr. Manmohan Singh's choice as the new prime minister was accepted by Congress and its allies since it has come from no less a person than Sonia herself.

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In democracies, instances are really too rare that the main leader winning elections has turned down the opportunity of enormous power or voluntarily quit key position. Malaysia's prime minister Dr. Mahathir Mohammad certainly earned admiration when he chose to retire as prime minister allowing others in the party to adorn the position. West Bengal's chief minister Jyoti Basu did the same a few years ago. But there is a distinct difference between their cases and that of Sonia Gandhi's. Dr. Mahathir hang up his gloves when he was in the late seventies and Basu called it a day from official position when in his late eighties. Both enjoyed power for more than two decades. But in Sonia's case she has been an opposition leader ever since she threw her hat into the ring of active politics and was waiting in the wings for power. When this golden opportunity came after beating a ruling and strong coalition led by a charismatic leader upsetting all predictions, she pulled herself off even after being invited by the president to form the government.

Several likely reasons are being cited for the decision and foremost of them is the relentless accusations by stubborn critics against her foreign origin as she was born in Italy. Many thought such accusations revolving the foreign origin issue would be set at rest once the elections are over, since Indian constitution says any citizen of the country can occupy any high office of the nation. The mandate was clear, it was won by Sonia and her Congress party. But the dust did not settle and the staunch critics kept the pot boiling despite a verdict disfavouring them and some even went to the extent of saying that they would resign from parliament or shave off head (a woman leader) if Sonia (a foreigner!) became prime minister.

Such ridiculous and undemocratic attitude from established politicians in India makes a mockery of their standard as far as the values of democracy and dignity in public life is concerned. If Indian origin Mahendra Chowdhury can become prime minister in Fiji, an Indian Sikh can become prime minister of the prestigious Vancouver province in Canada, why some one cannot hold high office in India just because of foreign origin and that too after being accepted by the people through popular mandate? Indians as a whole should demonstrate greater maturity on this issue cutting across political divide lest they are not looked down upon by many outside as mean and parochial.

We in Bangladesh feel proud when persons of our origin can represent nations like the United States as ambassador abroad or Britain appoints a Bangladeshi by birth as its high commissioner to this country. They are now their citizens and succeeded in climbing to important positions by sheer ability and skill. Such democratic countries deserve laurels for these decisions and we should take our hats off in big tribute to them. But why did some political forces in India fail here ? Indeed, it is a sordid story!

Sonia probably thought that she should not step into the shoes of prime minister howsoever illogical and funny is the observation of the opponents on the "foreigner issue" and thus did not want to divide the nation at a crucial time. And in the process she has taken wind out of the opposition sails -- also in the post-election situation. This is a remarkable demonstration of maturity of political acumen. Veteran communist leader Jyoti Basu had remarked before the elections that he would support Sonia for premiership because he believed she learned a good deal of politics in short time.

One can find justification in Sonia's decision to keep away from power although this can

also be argued strongly that the verdict in favour of Congress was mainly for the reason that people wanted to see her as the prime minister because she lost husband and mother-in-law, at the hands of assassins and she herself had been under intense attack from the rabid critics.

Another line of speculation is that her daughter Priyanka and son Rahul persuaded their mother not to take official position on security reasons since quarters bent upon opposing her as prime minister may spare no efforts to liquidate her physically. The fears may not be unfounded particularly for the fact that the children have lost their father Rajiv Gandhi, who was

assassinated in 1991.However,it is implausible to think that a seasoned political family can attach too much to security while being in public

life.

No doubt there is plethora of accolades for Sonia for taking a unconventional, courageous and morally high decision to keep away from power personally, but this may also have its pitfalls since some may see this as erroneous when viewed from another perspective. Some years ago, Jyoti Basu was named as the prime minister of the United Front government but his CPM party disapproved and consequently less known H.D. Deve Gowda became the prime minister as a dark horse. In retrospect, many felt that had a leader like Basu's stature become the prime minister, the UF government would not have probably fallen halfway through its term and communal forces would not have got the chance to come to power. Basu himself had described the party decision as a "blunder". Only time can say whether this may also apply in some form in Sonia's case.

It is possible that Sonia may become Indian prime minister at a stage when there will be less acrimony and time more propitious for her. She could have become prime minister when Congress riding in the crest of the sympathy of Rajiv's killing won the elections and formed the government in 1991.Sonia rejected appeals from Congress for becoming both PM and party chief and instead decided to remain recluse to politics. She did join politics formally when the Congress was in dire strait. For a person for whom going to power was a cakewalk earlier it is not difficult to also reject power once again. Her political life is marked by both thorns and roses. But he has brought to the fore the much valued dictum that "politics is not necessarily to enjoy power but serve people".

Even politicians of advanced democracies, let alone of democracies like ours, can take lesson from Sonia's case for the sake of people and nation. It is difficult to count on absolute integrity but it is possible to count on absolute infallibility. Sonia Gandhi, the "foreigner" from a small township in Italy, who landed in India through sheer marriage many years ago and was known for no lust for politics or power, has written a splendid chapter which has few parallels in history. At least for this she would be remembered admirably regardless how she fares in the future. Euphoria over her much applauded decision may fade with the passage of time but the example set by her would always remain shining -- not like "shining India" of the out-going government which boasted of developments during its tenure but that did not reach most Indians and the slogan cost the ruling coalition heavily in the polls.

Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury is a senior journalist.