The contributions of the grand old party – the Indian National Congress – who led the largest democracy in the world to freedom are invaluable.

However, the present plight of the GOP is pitiful.  Sonia Gandhi who relinquished the post of Congress party president in 2017 after 19 years stint was forced to take the seat when her son Rahul tasted a huge defeat in the ensuing general elections which propelled Narendra Modi to power.

For ordinary Congress party workers, nothing has changed till now, although they are enthused by the Bharat Jodo yatra taken by the Gandhi scion Rahul last month which began from Kanyakumari.  He is expected to crisscross the country in the next 100 days and will pass through 12 states and complete the yatra in Kashmir.

It is amidst this juncture that GOP has decided to go for the presidential election. 

Dr Shashi Tharoor who joined the party in 2009 after his successful stint at the United Nations and Mr Mallikarjun Kharge, 80, who has been with the party for the past 50 years, will lock horns on October 17.

Can the Congress party emerge on the wings of another leader? If so, the time is now.

The GOP should free itself from the shackles of self-centred veterans who have no base in their States. They are not helping the cause of the Indian National Congress but are using the party only for the sake of power. Many popular young leaders got fed up with them and thereby left the party. This must change.  

That’s where fresh faces like Dr Tharoor come into the picture. He is one of the most talented leaders, a highly acclaimed writer, thinker, statesman, former foreign minister and three-time Member of Parliament. In addition, his experience in the UN, his command over languages and his futuristic vision put him in a class apart from others.

 Undoubtedly, I would say that a real leader like Dr Tharoor is the most capable leader suitable for steering the Indian National Congress today.

With his immense experience, knowledge and expertise, Dr Tharoor is a model for Indian politicians and we see that even the opposition parties often openly or secretly brace his positions.

At this stage, India requires a leader, who, after elections, is not biased by political stands, religion, caste, or money, but only aims for the well-being of his country and people of all levels and walks of life.

If the party fails to choose him as the leader of the Indian National Congress, the aspiration of millions of Indian youth would be shattered.  Beyond that, the future of Congress as well as the future of India would be impaired. Dr Tharoor, 66, is an icon of the Indian youth. Dr Tharoor’s speeches in the Indian and British Parliaments shocked other world leaders, and have become subjects of study for historical and political students today.

Moreover, his astounding ability to speak on any subject is amazing and commendable. He does proper research and planning in advance, for any sessions which is exceedingly enviable and noteworthy.  

It is time for the self-proclaimed veterans who are yet to realize that corruption, selfishness and nepotism have kept ordinary workers away from the party and that it is high time to show some love and gratitude to the country and its people.

So dear respected leaders, if you have done any good, you will be judged by the public and will be acknowledged as well. You have to choose retirement from your own leisure life at the public’s expense. Obviously, in India, for all jobs, there is a time limit, but the Ministers, MPs and MLAs can prolong their so-called SERVICE until they die, as we see these days. 

They fix their salary and double their benefits, and above all, assure themselves a lifetime pension. Amazingly, no particular qualification is required.

Dr Tharoor is a unique personality who shows how well talent, knowledge and experience can be utilized to the hilt and is Prime Minister material.

Why do veterans dislike him? Many fear him, don’t they? His language, his learning, his vast knowledge, and his ability to ask for and get what he deserves, are what exactly a leader needs. 

As a representative of the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in the southern State of Kerala, Dr Tharoor is a person who can raise his voice for his voters in the Parliament. Except for some veteran leaders, no one would doubt Dr Shashi Tharoor’s capability to regain the lost glory of the party.

Even the youth would join hands with the party.  Why is Congress not deciding to choose such an honest leader as the president? That’s the moot question.

About the author: Saji Uthuppan is a lecturer based in Muscat.