Sonia's Decision

Sonia Gandhi, on Tuesday May 18th 2004, decisively declined to be the Prime Minister of India.

At hindsight, what a decision this was? Rahul said it right. Who else would decline the PM's post?

Sonia's stature in India has improved and with the exception of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, she dwarfed every other politician worth his/her salt in India. For now, atleast.

Infact, NDA was taken by surprise. By one stroke, Sonia has taken away the shine off the NDA's new ball.

I would like to convey my thanks to Sonia Gandhi for the decision.

In this article, I would like to point out two factors that led to her withdrawal. Also, for those who felt betrayed by her refusal, I have penned some reasons for digestion.

Withdrawal
There are two major reasons, in order of importance, which has contributed to her decision.

First and the foremost issue, is the future of her son and daughter.

Sonia is only 57, which is like adolescence in Indian political landscape. She does not want to spoil the "bright" future prospects of her two children.

Sonia's interest in the Congress party is directly related to future prospects of her children, despite her public posture. This was not the case in 1991 - immediately after Rajiv’s assassination, because her children were too young to hold positions of power -
either in the party or in the government.

In 1998, when she thought that Congress was going to the dogs, she stepped in at the right time just to feel welcomed.

Second issue is her knowledge of Bofors kickbacks.

The issue is certainly not over. I am sure she continues to hear this from her inner-voice constantly.

In this regard, it may be worthwhile to recall that, Martin Ordbo, the man who knows all,
said that the truth would go to the grave along with him.

Additionally, Sonia Gandhi's refusal to answer questions pertaining to the issue is an indicator of guilt.

If her conscience is clear, why then refuse?

Bangaru Laxman, former BJP president appeared on Karan Thapar's program in BBC (sometime in 2001) to answer Tehelka related questions - unscripted. Sonia knows very well, she is not used to giving interviews without preparations and pre-conditions. Ask Vir Sanghvi, the present editor of the Hindustan Times.

Betrayal of the mandate
Upon her decision, there have been cries from Congress cronies about her betrayal of the mandate.

Did Sonia betray the mandate? A firm NO.

Why?

The verdict was clear. Good-bye NDA, for its development and good governance plank.

Sonia knows the meaning of the word "mandate" (having gone to study English in England) and certainly realized the fractured verdict. It is not a verdict for her, but against NDA. Why then would vote percentage of Congress and BJP reduce?

Contrary to the popular opinion, Sonia cares less about her foreign origin issue and public sentiments over it. Certainly not in 1999. Why then now?

Sonia, personally, was unfazed by the threat of uprising by the NDA, led by BJP on the issue of her foreign origin. This is not true of her allies though.

Had Sonia accepted the post, foreign origin and Bofors would have taken the spotlight and put her children, Congress, Left and other allies on the back foot.

More than anything else, she did not want to jeopardize (true to her Indian ethos as claimed by her cohorts) the future of her children in Indian politics.

As a Prime Minister, she would be compelled to answer Bofors related questions in Parliament. She did not want to risk the future of her children by exposing herself.

I truly believe the above are the only two reasons why she declined the post.