ABHIJIT CHOWDHURY/ NEW DELHI
The Congress Party victory in the Hindi heartland of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have raised new hopes among the rank and file of the party cadres but it has also thrown up new challenges for the AICC Chief Rahul Gandhi to choose between young turks and experienced face.
The Central State of Madhya Pradesh bordering seven states have not given a clear cut mandate to the grand old party as it’s has to seek support from its allies particularly BSP, SP and independents to form a new government in the state.
In the faction ridden state of Madhya Pradesh, Mr Rahul Gandhi appointed Gandhi loyalist and a veteran congress heavy weight Mr Kamalnath as PCC Chief just eight months before the just concluded assembly polls.
The former union minister from Chindwara, Madhya Pradesh has a unique distinction who has won nine consecutive terms and was appointed pro-term speaker in the 15th Lok Sabha.
The gamble to appoint Mr Kamalnath have paid rich dividend for the party as Congress has arrested power from the BJP which was ruling the state for last 15 years.
AICC Chief Rahul Gandhi have to tread cautious path as it can not risk antagonising youth and old guards, which can spell doom for the upcoming general election to be held next year, the Scindia sicon Mr JyotirAditya Scindia who is seen check by jowl by Rahul Gandhi has raised new hopes among the youth and has led party from the front and has given new impetus.
Similarly, in Rajasthan a desert storm in the tea cup could rise and spell trouble for the party as PCC Chief Mr Sachin Pilot youth fullness has helped Congress Party wins the state but two times Chief Minister of the state and General Secretary In Charge of the AICC organisation who is ear and nose to Mr Rahul Gandhi, Mr Ashok Ghelot can spoil the party.
Mr Rahul Gandhi has to navigate it very carefully and choose between the wisdom and cheerfulness of youth.
Interestingly, the state of Chhattisgarh which had witnessed the worst naxal attack in the history of the country in which all top brass of the Congress Party was wiped out and the state congress leadership had to fought on two counts one on the leadership crisis and also to counter most popular face of BJP Dr Raman Singh a three times Chief Minister of the state.
The state PCC Chief Mr Bhupesh Baghel under whose leadership the resurgent Congress Party has pulled up rug from the feet of BJP and storm the state with 68 seats for the party.
The state of Chhattisgarh which is known as rice bowl of the country has also thrown up headache for the AICC President Mr Rahul Gandhi who has to show great skill and maturity in picking up new Chief Minister of the state.