Rahul Gandhi : A reluctant politician or avoiding a direct fight with Modi?

New Delhi, Jul 20: Rahul Gandhi is one politician who talks more like a social activist than the political heir of India's grand old party – Indian National Congress. When he speaks, whether at poor Kalawati's house in Maharashtra or at CII convention, Rahul gives an impression as if he understands the crux of every problem but when it comes to take the responsibility and get into real action, he develops cold feet. The myriad changes that he talks about can be implemented only if he takes the rein of power in his own hands and drives the execution of all his big ideas. But Rahul has gone on record in expressing his reluctance for occupying the hot seat. He says he is not interested in getting the top job. Not only this, he went to the extent of saying that he is not even interested in marriage as well. While marriage is a very personal matter, his statement indicates the fragile state of his mind. So, is Rahul a reluctant politician or there is more to his statements than meets the eyes? On the one hand Rahul says that he is not interested in becoming Prime Minister, on the other hand the party has made him the head of Election Coordination Committee. The Election Coordination Committee is supposed to act as a bridge between the govt and the party in the run up to the parliamentary election. Not only this, this committee will take all crucial decision relating to election strategy and management through its three sub-groups namely - Pre Poll Alliances, Manifesto and Government Programs and Communication and Publicity. It means that Rahul Gandhi will play a crucial role in choosing pre-poll allies. He will do all the crucial negotiations and bargaining with the probable allies. He will have the final say in drafting of the manifesto. He will be the final authority to decide on the poll bonanza, if any, that the Congress party will decide before elections. It's Rahul Gandhi who will design the campaign of Congress party. It's Rahul who will be responsible for formulating communication and publicity strategies so that achievements of the UPA govt is communicated effectively to the target audience. What is interesting is that all these committees including the Election Coordination Committee and three sub-groups consist of very senior leaders of Congress party. In fact, the list has all the who's who of Congress party. It has leaders like Ahmed Patel, Digvijay Singh, P Chidambaram, Sushil Kumar Shinde and other top ranking leaders. And everybody will be reporting to Rahul Gandhi because he will be heading the apex election body i.e. Election Coordination Committee. Had Rahul not been sincere about becoming PM, would he have accepted a crucial position like the head of Election Coordination Committe? Why would he limit himself to leading the election campaign only? If he hands over a hard fought victory to the party why won't he aim for the top job? Yes, we have the example of Sonia Gandhi who despite leading the Congress party to victory for two consecutive terms stayed away from 7, Race Course Road. But what can't be overlooked is the fact she had many obstacles in her way and her foreign origin was the biggest roadblock. Rahul does not face any such constraint. So what is it that is forcing Rahul Gandhi to renounce Prime Ministerial ambitions? Is it genuine or it's just a ploy to ensure that the upcoming general elections does not become a direct fight between him and Narendra Modi.? Being a veteran of electoral battles, Modi will definitely have a huge advantage over Rahul in case it becomes a clash between two opersonalities – Rahul and Modi and it has been indicated by many surveys in the recent times. Rahul and his advisors are well aware of this ground reality. So is it just a posturing on part of Rahul's team to ensure that the 2014 battle does not pit a political greenhorn like Rahul Gandhi against a master Politician like Narendra Modi? Or Rahul just spoke his heart out? His body language definitely does not match with that of a passionate politician. He has seen how politics ruined his family. He has been witness to two assassinations and one accidental death under mysterious circumstances in his family. It's very much possible that he is no longer enthusiastic about politics after having seen all this. So is it just the pressure of the family especially from her mother that is forcing him to carry the mantle even if he is reluctant to do that? Congress has positioned Rahul in a similar position like that of Narendra Modi. While Modi heads BJP's election campaign committee, Rahul is heading the Election Coordination committee. Both of them will lead the campaign of their respective parties with chosen allies. Ideally the next Prime Minister should be either of the two. While Modi looks more than eager to take the baton, Rahul sounds like a reluctant politician. It could be a well thought of strategy on his part to avoid a direct personality based fight with Modi but it will do more harm than good to the Congress party. The reason is simple - the cadre of the party will lose enthusiasm if the leader himself sounds like a reluctant politician. If it's part of the strategy then it's OK. But if Rahul is genuinely reluctant then he should make way for some one else in the party, including Priyanka who is the cadre's first choice, who is passionate and is willing to take his/her opponent head on. What if he becomes PM of this country under duress? Can India afford to have a reluctant politician as its PM? There can be no two views over the fact that India needs a passionate and not a reluctant leader as Prime Minsiter. Therefore, it's time Rahul Gandhi takes the right decision before it's too late. The nation should not pay the price for a leader's personal compulsions.