New Delhi: Former Congress leader Dr Shakil Ahmad spoke openly about the party’s repeated electoral setbacks, Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, and Priyanka Gandhi’s potential role in a conversation on Sunday.
Shakil Ahmad attributed the party’s disappointing performance to leadership style, internal insecurity, and family-centric decisions. He clarified that he is not against Rahul Gandhi but believes honest feedback is essential for the party’s welfare.
TrendingHe said, “Sonia Gandhi united the Congress, which had various factions like those of Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, and Sitaram Kesri, to form a strong ‘Sonia Gandhi Congress’ and took the party to new heights. However, Rahul Gandhi could not even make that Congress his own.”
Shakil Ahmad added, “I am not an opponent of Rahul Gandhi. I spent a lot of time with him and spoke frankly whenever I saw mistakes. I believed that the welfare of Congress meant the welfare of the country, but perhaps Rahul took offense, and I paid the price for it.”
Describing Rahul Gandhi as ‘arrogant,’ Ahmad cited the party president election as an example. When Shashi Tharoor stood as a candidate, many wanted to vote for him, but since Sonia and Rahul officially backed Mallikarjun Kharge, votes went to Kharge to avoid wastage. Kharge himself says Rahul and Sonia made him president.
He said, “When Sonia, Rahul, and Priyanka are together, the Nehru-Gandhi family decides who will be the president. Other leaders remain uncertain about their roles.”
On Priyanka Gandhi, Shakil Ahmad said he has had limited contact but acknowledged that her speeches connect best with the public. “Her speeches carry a sense of Indian identity. Sonia upheld culture, but Priyanka was born here, so she speaks more precisely and effectively.”
He acknowledged the party’s trust in the Nehru-Gandhi family and that leadership decisions are family-driven. However, many leaders feel Rahul’s insecurity prevents Priyanka from taking a bigger role. Despite 30-32 years in politics, becoming an MP, and serving as general secretary, Priyanka has not been given charge of any major state. After the Uttar Pradesh defeat, she was assigned Assam as secretary, a smaller state, to keep her away from the frontline. The party kept failing, but Rahul remained the face.
“Rahul is the party’s owner. Whether Priyanka wants to come forward or work behind her brother is an internal matter. There is much affection between them. Publicly, Priyanka’s connection with people and speeches are better than anyone else’s,” Shakil Ahmad said.