It is time for the reminiscence of the historical fact that the Gandhis belong to the family of instinctive nationalists that dedicated and sacrificed their lives for the nation. Before I begin to expound on this, I would like to recall and reflect upon a few parental instincts.
Isn’t it universally acknowledged that every parent strives to pass down wealth, happiness, and a burden-free future to generations ahead so that their children can live a peaceful life with minimal worries in this challenging and ever-changing world?
In this self-absorbed and self-centered world would any parent, under any circumstances, want his child to shoulder the great responsibility of taking care of millions of lives at the cost of the child’s own life and expose him to a humongous risk, sharp criticism, and humiliation that can affect one’s well-being, both physical and mental?
A salute to all such brave and courageous parents and families who have always indulged themselves and encouraged their children to continue to take up this career that is incredibly uncertain and life-threatening at times.
Sir, you belong to a family that shares one such unique life history and you are a lineal descendant of such establishment that has never set out to rule but only to serve.
Your great grandfather, Shri. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Ji has devoted his life to our country unto death. Your grandmother, Smt. Indira Gandhi Ji and your father, Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji have sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Particularly, your mother, Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji, who was devastated with her husband’s untimely and brutal death had to step into politics reluctantly only on the compulsion of the congress workers and in the interest of the century-old Congress party. Her valor, austerity, and purity of her will, even in the face of those extremely difficult times, is always inspiring. They have all put people’s well-being and safety much ahead of theirs and fought day in and day out for safeguarding the interests of our nation. They always went by people’s decisions and accepted public mandate with utmost humility. Your entire family felt at every moment to be servants of society and never had any room for complacency. Having inherited such great qualities, you too have been a great leader in grooming and guiding millions of Congress workers to date.
You are born into an establishment that is meant to act upon people’s say, for the party’s and nation’s good.
With the utmost respect for your leadership and admiration for your emphasis on the participation of every congressman, irrespective of their cadre, in decision making, I consider it my duty to question you with utter frankness and without diplomatic adornment.
Sir, how do you not think of reconsidering our demand and step up the President’s chair? Do you have an option to abstain from executing people’s will, which is against your genetic virtue?
Challa Vamsichand Reddy
Today when our party and the workers are going astray without your guidance and leadership, we strongly feel the need of having you step back as the President-INC, more than ever. Despite the great insistence on you taking back the reins of the party, we are unable to understand your blatant disregard for our opinion and demand. Is it not your responsibility to uphold our conviction and act accordingly?
What else would a party and its staunch followers ask, except for a charismatic leader with proven ability, like you? Sir, you sure are one of the very few leaders in the political history of India who has a unique ideology and belief that for progressive politics, the contribution from both senior and young leaders is equally important.
I can recall your valuable words, from many of my NSUI and Youth Congress training sessions, that the experiences of senior leaders coupled with the energies of the tech-savvy young leaders will help in determining and directing the course of action. You are that one leader who can amalgamate these experiences and energies, channelize adequately, and put them into action to bring back the lost glory of Congress party. Your never-failing kindness and an intuitive understanding of people’s affairs have always inspired many youngsters like me to enter politics and serve our nation selflessly.
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way to his followers. And that one leader who can invariably create an atmosphere of happy co-operation in our party and amongst workers is YOU.
India today is under tremendous communal tension and our economic system is going intolerably out of gear. In almost insoluble situations like this, you are standing tall and fighting against divisive politics, Godse ideology, inequities of society. Particularly noteworthy are your plans and policies to eradicate poverty, reduce unemployment, empower youth and women, ensure social justice, improve foreign relations, uplift the caste oppressed.
However, it is still enigmatic that a leader like you, with a deep political insight and understanding of the current affairs & human relations, does not intend to understand the anguish of millions of Congress soldiers who are ready to shed their sweat and blood for the party at your behest.
Sir, I am sure you are convinced that the letter is written with all the seriousness and honesty at my command and I trust you will accept it in the same spirit.
(from the letter Vamsichand Reddy has written to Rahul Gandhi)
(*Challa Vamshi Chand Reddy, AICC Secretary, Former MLA from Telangana)
