Why Congress needs Shashi Tharoor more than Mallikarjuna Kharge?

Given the support of major congress leaders in India it is almost certain that Kharge will be new congress president.  Many alleged that Kharge as a congress president would be nothing but an extension of right hand of Gandhis. If that is the case the mandate of the democratic election in congress would still be undemocratic. In the run up to polls, the party has been mired in many controversies, including the one sparked by Shashi Tharoor’s “not a level-playing field" remark. He spoke about many Congress delegates openly supporting Kharge.

The elections are held after 20 years and during that period we have seen only someone from Gandhi as a president. The ramifications of which we are seeing today.

Congress is in dire need to revive itself after the party is at its lowest point having government in only two states i.e. Rajasthan and Chattisgarh. In Rajasthan, the congress led government is witnessing turmoil at regular interval between the Gehlot and the faction led by Sachin Pilot. It is hard to imagine if congress can go more down than this.

We are seeing no big rallies or election campaigns of congress in Gujarat the reason only know to the party.

Tharoor said he is confident of victory even though the odds were stacked against him as leaders and establishment were with the other candidate.

Though the rivalry of Tharoor and Kharge is not intense. Their mutual respect, atleast in public domain is visible by their official statements. On Twitter, Mr Tharoor said he had spoken with Mr Kharge to "reaffirm my respect for him and our shared devotion to the success" of the party. "Some people play safe in order not to lose," he said. "But if you just play safe, you will definitely lose." Mr Tharoor said he looks forward to working with "friend and senior" Mr Kharge. "I believe the revival of the Congress party has begun," he said on the election.

Kharge joined the presidential party after Ashok Gehlot backtracked at the last moment not intending to leave his CM post. Though Gandhi want him to leave the post to Sachin Pilot but Gehlot disagreed. The official policy of Congress that is “one man one post” led to a political crisis in Rajasthan with speculation that Sachin Pilot will be new CM face.

Amidst all these political crisis that Congress has been facing, very few want Gandhis or their loyalist to lead the party. Due to poor management of elections Congress has been easily thrashed by BJP in state as well as parliamentary elections in the past 8 years. There is a dire need to revive the structure of Congress. India needs a strong opposition.

Tharoor - whose campaign hashtag is #Tharoorfortomorrow - has been saying he would beat conventions to bring reforms. He was also one of the G-23 letter writers to Sonia Gandhi who sought sweeping reforms. But not all those who belonged to the rebel group are with him in this contest.

Tharoor has been vociferous critic of Modi government and its policies. He also wrote a famous book “Paradoxical Prime Minister”. His command over the English language make sures his opinion gets amplified to non-hindi region including north-eastern and southern states. He also has good experience of holding important central government portfolios. He served as Minister of State for External Affairs[6] (2009–2010) and Minister of Human Resource Development (2012–2014). He has written hundreds of articles for  The New York Times, The Washington Post, TIME, Newsweek, and The Times of India. His dynamic leadership and statesmanship is a perfect blend to revive the grand old party. Morever he won’t be having tag of “loyalist of Gandhi family club” which will ensure impartiality in decision making.

Over 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates form the electoral college to pick the party chief in a secret ballot. The results will be declared on October 19.