Understanding Sonia Gandhi contribution to Indian Politics would invite extreme views. Starting from her Italian (and Christian) origins to entering into the most powerful political family and then finally herself becoming the most powerful person in India is a hugely successful story. Her personality itself is very complex. For average Indian she is simply Madam Gandhi - whose husband Rajiv, mother-in-law Indira and then Nehru, her late husband's grand father were all Prime Minister of India. Her son Rahul Gandhi is now Prime Minister in waiting. She herself according to her faithful followers - sacrificed her Prime Ministership and anointed Manmohan Singh. For an average emotional Indian, Nehru-Gandhi family is a political powerhouse that is destined to rule the nation by default.
However, for intelligent and politically agile Indians - Sonia Gandhi and her Power centre does not represent a linear and singular answer. Starting from her Italian days to her dating with Rajiv Gandhi in England and then arriving in India in itself have lot of conspiracy theories. There are many who believe that she was a perfect fit for the cold war politics (search internet) and thus there was a bigger game plan. Her Christian faith and alleged conversion of Rajiv into Catholic faith and raising her two children as Roman Catholics invited plenty of right wing Hindu critics. There were plenty of rumours that she wanted to leave India after her mother in law assassination that desire was accelerated subsequent to her husband's brutal assassination. While in seclusion from public life (and power) during PV Narasimha Rao years perhaps she tasted powerlessness. Even then, she struggled to emerge a pan-India political figure during Vajpayee earlier years. Perhaps, 2004 was a major turning point in her political career. A miscalculated election call by Vajpayee brought her into the centre stage. When everyone though she would the "Gandhi III" Prime Minister, she surprised entire world by "appointing" Dr Manmohan Singh. Here again, there are conspiracies & theories on the role played by President Abdul Kalam in softly denying her the crown. Truth what ever it may be, Dr Kalam also joined her list of adversaries. Kalam, often called Peoples President had to content with single term Presidency despite strong and wider support in the public. That in a way supports these theories. Interestingly, Sonia style of dealing with her adversaries is unique and it is as soft & delicate as a Italian Pasta (no one knows who cooked it!)
In between the average and intelligent understanding of Sonia Gandhi, her role in stabilising Indian Political scene cannot be undermined. Congress at best is an authoritarian democracy. Democracy stops at the doors of Master. This is a culture cultivated from the days of Mahatma Gandhi. In Congress, only a Gandhi can have the supreme authority. Anyone else on the top would lead the party to the disaster. Despite all the shortcomings, this is the single reason why Sonia could fit well into the shoes. Since 2004, Indian government functioning is unique in it's 60 plus years history. Dr Singh merely became a administrative head of the government. While the vision, policies, direction to government is given by Sonia Gandhi from her 10, Janpath Residence. This is working well though, the vision is myopic and India has lost golden opportunities from the European and US economic crisis. The key point is clear split in the political power and administrative authority. Thus, despite any official role Sonia Gandhi figures in the world powerful list besides Dr Singh. Under the circumstances, while BJP in neck deep trouble with out any credible leaders at the national level, this is the best of the worst solution both the average and intelligent Indians can hope.
Looking at the crisis in Europe, both Italy and Greece have now opted a Technocratic Prime Ministers. Interestingly, Monti. Papademos and Dr Manmohan Singh are from similar schools. Unlike Greece, Italy problems require a strong political power for implementing economic reforms (Italy is a good economy run badly, while Greece is basically a cooked up economy). There is no one in the Italian Political scene to match the dexterity of Silivio Berlusconi. Without this political support, Italy cannot put it's a trillion dollar economy back on the right track. And here, Sonia "Maino" Gandhi would perfectly fit the bill. With her Turin origins, strong faith, excellent track record in one of the world fasted growing economies and beyond all defining a perfectly working political and admin framework, Italy perhaps cannot expect any one better. Additionally her UPA government facing record scams in the Indian history to date, is a good add-on expertise for a scam prone Italy
India has an excellent track record of exporting CEO's to world multinationals who are doing extremely well. All of them attribute their success to Indian origins and perhaps more importantly challenges they faced in their early years while working for success in India.
Despite all the intelligent Indian's understanding of her origins, entry into Indian Political establishment, and then eventual rise to power - all cannot be fluke or mere coincidence. There is something of Sonia Gandhi personality that blends best of Eastern Management Techniques and Western applications.
I hope Italy would use the services of, one of the most powerful Italian-Indian. If that happens, my Italian neighbour Vittorio and I can have some additional Pasta-Pizza-Biryani-Masala blend topics for discussion.
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