Why Jyotiraditya Scindia's exit would be a hammerblow to Congress

Kamal Nath government appeared on brink on Monday as 18 Madhya Pradesh MLAs landed in Bengaluru, in a sharp escalation of crisis that has w been ongoing for over a week. It also emerged that infighting at core of Congress' troubles is between party high-command and Kamal Nath at one end and Jyotiraditya Scindia at or, with Sonia Gandhi's denial time for Scindia for a meeting allegedly precipitating events witnessed on Monday. 

Scindia to quit Congress?

Sources say that Jyoritaditya Scindia has been unhappy for a long time by way he was treated by Congress high command. According to sources, Scindia is at present in Delhi and  Congress is ready to accept his demands, be it becoming chief of Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee or a mination to Rajya Sabha - but it may be too little too late as Scindia is purportedly already in touch with BJP.

If Scindia decides to quit Congress, it would be a hammerblow to grand old party. Here's why:

Jyotiraditya Scindia has a huge following in state of Madhya Pradesh. He is a descendant of royal family of Gwalior. He has a close and personal connection with people of Madhya Pradesh and is well aware of grass-root level problems. His effective campaign can be credited for Congress winning MP State Assembly elections. This will be surely Congress' loss if y cant retain Scindia despite his long history with party and his influence. He has also been a MoS in UPA and was party's chief whip in previous Lok Sabha. On or hand, Sonia Gandhi's new pick as Leader of Opposition in Lower House - Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has consistently made statements that have sparked controversy, t helping rebuild party's im.

Sonia preferring 'old guard' over young leaders

Sonia Gandhi taking over as president of Congress only buttresses tion that Congress will t allow its young guns to come to fore. This was evident when Ashok Gehlot and Kamal Nath were picked as Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh respectively igring dynamic younger leaders like Sachin Pilot and Scindia, despite ir sizeable contribution to party's victory. In period after Rahul Gandhi stepping down as party chief, many had called for elections to be held to pick his successor. However, Congress appeared to t have given this a thought as it 'unanimously' decided that Sonia Gandhi would have to return to lead party.  

Scindia, 49, lost out in race for Chief Ministership in December 2018 when he was able to get support of only 23 MLAs. Kamal Nath took over as Chief Minister and also retained control of state Congress unit. Even, Rahul Gandhi, as president, wanted old guard to make way for young guns but it has t happened in grand-old party. Sources also say Senior Congress leader and former CM Digvijaya Singh, along with Kamal Nath have been trying to sideline Scindia.

Scindia was assud briefly when he was made General Secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh along with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for last year's national election, but Congress crashed miserably in state. Scindia also lost his own Guna seat - a double blow in state.

READ | 'Scindia will soon be MP Congress chief,' says Ind. MLA Shera as Kamal Nath govt trembles

Cong unable to look beyond Rahul and Priyanka for leadership

next reason is that Congress is in a habit of depending on Gandhi family for leadership and direction on what party stands for. party has t been able to found a second-generation leader except for Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra despite both claiming that y don't want to take over leadership of party. 

READ | MASSIVE: 18 MP Congress MLAs in Bengaluru; BJP could move -confidence against Kamal Nath

Introduction of new 'dynast' on cards?

Sonia Gandhi's return as party chief has only reinforced belief that only 'young guns' that will be allowed to blossom in party are those from Gandhi-Vadra family. While likes of Scindia and Pilot have been sidelined, Vadras have showed signs of wanting to introduce  next generation of 'dynasts' into Indian politics, making a show of Priyanka Vadra and Robert Vadra's son Rehan's first time out voting, as he showed up before cameras after exercising his franchise in recently held Delhi elections. Speaking about casting his vote, Rehan said it was a nice feeling to take part in democratic process finally. "Everyone should exercise ir right to vote," youngster was quoted as saying. 

departure of a leader like Jyotiraditya Scindia would hurt any party, but in Congress' case it goes beyond possible fall of Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh. It is emblematic of a range of issues that continue to plague party that has witnessed a massive decline in seat-share and vote-share in two consecutive Lok Sabha polls, plus a complete wipe-out in multiple key elections during last 6 years.

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