The Presidential election in the Indian National Congress took place because Rahul Gandhi hesitated to take the mantle of President of the party. When Sonia Gandhi is surrounded by senior leaders, minions, and power brokers, it is like a fortified fort. Even though Rahul Gandhi is the son of Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi, he was unable to bring structural changes to the party that are suited for the times. Let us assume that this is why Rahul Gandhi was hesitant to become the President.

Some leaders argued for Priyanka Gandhi if Rahul did not want to the top post. But that too did not materialize. In the midst of all this, a group of leaders with the acronym G-23 began a small rebellion. This made the Presidential election inevitable. Shashi Tharoor, a member of the so-called G-23, coming out as a candidature for the election brought a sense of liveliness outside the party.

The 1072 votes earned by Tharoor can be considered proof of the support he got from the young leaders and some others. Even if it is a small group, this is evidence that there is a desire for changes in the party. Considering the present situation of the party, even if he had won, it would be impossible for him to change a senior leader or bring any structural changes in the party.

The High Command supported Mallikarjun Kharge not because he is a Dalit. It must be remembered that the High Command zeroed in on Kharge after approaching Gehlot and others. Now they are spreading the message that they made a Dalit leader the President of Congress. This is a double standard.

There is a big difference in the words and actions of the Congress party. Fifty years in power has made the party steeped in corruption. This is how the party was forced to wear the mask of hypocrisy.

The future of Congress is in jeopardy unless it eschews working for political power and begin working for the interests of the people and the nation. With Kharge becoming the President, it is now clear that the Congress party will be moving in the old ways itself. Let us hope that Rahul Gandhi at this stage, at least, realizes the changing face of India during his Bharat Jodo Yathra.

It is almost sure that the new president will not bring in an age limit for senior leaders to be posted to party positions. Because he himself is eighty years old. Such changes must be initiated by Rahul Gandhi. If such a change is not made then the party cannot recapture its lost strength and vitality.