LONDON: The British media has viewed with skepticism the selection of Sonia Gandhi as the new leader of the Congress-I party to succeed her late husband Rajiv Gandhi.
“A Gandhi is dead long live the Gandhi’s That is the congress party way” says The Independent.
The paper in an editorial comment said the move looks “opportunistic even by the standard of Indian politics the motives of the Congress bosses seem clear first they hoped she would attract a substantial sympathy vote to the party when the remaining 60% of the interrupted election are held later.
“Second they wanted to avoid a power struggle that would put their own qualifications to the test and were afraid to grasp the poisoned chalice Third they planned to manipulate Mrs Gandhi to their collective benefit from behind the scenes. In much the same way during the Raj the British sometimes installed the window of a local ruler usually as regent pending a son’s accession.”
The pro-government The Times in its banner headlines said “Congress-I gambles on continuing a political dynasty”
In an edit page article entitled “India’s reluctant heroine” the paper said “Sonia Gandhi’s selection as president of Congress I party in succession to her husband is a desperate attempt to save the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. She could sweep to power on a wave of sympathy giving India the strong government it desperately needs though perhaps placing her at the mercy of corrupt party bosses who hope to make her their cats paw””
Article extracted from this publication >> May 31, 1991
