It says something for Sonia Gandhi's tenacity and will power that she has reached the top in a strange country. A country that does not speak her language, is a world apart from her culture, and has entirely different social values and work ethics.
She has become the longest serving Congress party member (over 10 years). When her husband died on that fateful day on 21st may, 1991 leaving her shattered, she had two kids from whom she could hardly seek solace. It was rather the other way round. That she stood the test of times and came out with flying colors is no small feat. ??Here is what we gather about her leadership qualities from her amazing ability to lead the ruling party:
Stop-Gap to Permanency?
It has to be conceded that the Congress culture saw in her a stop-gap arrangement ready-made leader. It came to pass soon that she was here to stay and not about to go away, leaving the field open for others waiting in the wing. Undoubtedly, there were distracting elements within and outside the Congress. The opposition cried hoarse about dynastic policy which, had true angst and desperation written all over. In the Congress itself, voices were heard to mutter the impracticality of having a foreign citizen as the head of the party. ??
Rejuvenation of the Party
Overcoming these real obstacles would not have been easy, were it not for the state of despair the party was in at the time. The party did not have a central leader to look up to. The morale of the party workers was down in the dumps. A much needed rejuvenation was instantly provided by Sonia Gandhi. Being elected as an MP was easy and she became the opposition leader. ??
Style of Electioneering
In 2004, the BJP wrongly believed its own slogan of "India shining" to be true and projected India almost as if it was a prosperous country. Sonia Gandhi, on the other hand, had her feet firmly on the ground. She electioneered throughout the country extensively, identifying herself with aam aadmi. ??
No part in Government??
When she was offered the post of prime minister on the platter, she weighed the pros and cons and decided against accepting it, choosing instead to lead the party. The top economist Manmohan Singh was made the PM. An important laws enacted on her initiative was the national Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme which provided succor for the poor of the country. Work for 100 days to the rural poor was guaranteed. Right to Information Act became a law by her insistence. Any citizen could get any information concerning the activities of the government by requesting for it.??This Sonia Gandhi, a novice in 1991 is a seasoned politician providing a good leadership and hope for her party.
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