Saying 'no' to Priyanka Gandhi: Decoding Ajay Maken's big denial

The same old drama plays out each time Priyanka Gandhi’s name pops into the headlines. Unsourced quotes from the Congress Party tout her much-anticipated entry into politics, which in turn elicit denials from its leadership. This yes-no-maybe soap opera is now a seasonal staple of political reporting, more regular and predictable than the Indian monsoon. This time around the rumours were exceptionally unsubstantiated even by Indian media standards: “Speculation is rife over Priyanka’s role in the Congress for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. This comes as sources indicate that Priyanka Gandhi is likely to campaign for the Congress in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, not just in Uttar Pradesh, but in other states too.” So thin was this particular bit of ’news’ that reporters couldn’t even cite a ‘senior party leader’ or that other favourite: ‘a person close to Mrs Gandhi.’ You know, the same guy who told The Telegraph (UK) after the UP elections, “Now the pressure will be for Priyanka [Gandhi] to be involved and up front for the party.” The only thing new this time around is Ajay Maken’s bizarrely strident denial. “We completely deny the reports that Priyanka Gandhi will be campaigning in the 2014 elections,” declared an irate Maken, “condemning” news channels that carried the report. To freshen things up, he even threw in a conspiracy theory: “The news is being used to suppress the news about how Madhya Pradesh government has failed to handle the stampede in a temple.” Irrespective of the source of the story – delusional Gandhi sycophant or scheming BJP-type – a certain section of the Congress leadership is indeed waiting for Priyanka, against all odds. Their numbers only trumped by those waiting for Rahul Gandhi to announce his decision to become their prime ministerial candidate. The myth making around the latest generation of the dynasty is all about anticipation, in the glaring absence of delivery. [caption id=“attachment_1171141” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Reuters[/caption] For all the hype about Priyanka being the second coming of Grandma, her limited forays into campaigning have had very little impact. In one of her innumerable UP rallies, she told the crowds, “I promised Ma that we will get her all the 10 seats of Rae Bareli and Amethi.” The result: SP grabbed four of the five seats in Rae Bareli, and eight of the 10 assembly seats in Amethi and Sultanpur. The Congress retained one seat and gained another. Back in 2007, the party won 10 of the 15 seats. Oops, sorry, Ma! Reporting for Rediff.com at the time, Sheela Bhatt describes a very different Priyanka, far less magical than her media-hyped incarnation: By the time Priyanka arrives in Amaye Mafi village, most local reporters begin to murmur about the absence of a response from her audience. I am surprised to discover that Priyanka gives unimpressive speeches. It is as if she is fulfilling a ‘duty.’ Political passion is clearly absent. By 4 pm, in Tikarmafi village, Priyanka is so defensive that while addressing an audience of around 200 people, she says, “Iss chunav main nahin to humein agle chunav main bal milega (If not in the current election, we will be strengthened in the next election).” Maken may, in fact, be telling the truth. Why would the party send a proven failure to campaign across the nation? The show of outrage is perhaps fuelled by the realisation that these persistent ‘Priyanka aayi’ rumours hurt no one except her own brother. The persistent talk about Priyanka’s charisma  serves to underline Rahul’s lack thereof, diminishing him by implicit comparison as the weaker sibling, in line for succession due to the privilege of gender rather than any natural talent. More likely, the party leadership is far too aware of the perils of Priyanka’s other, less-used surname. The Congress Party’s Plan B has now become a symbol of all that’s wrong with the UPA government. And no amount of Indira-nostalgia can counter that piece of political kryptonite called Robert Vadra.