There is neither surprise nor sensation in  Mallikharjuna Kharge winning the Presidential election of Congress party with good majority( The Hindu,20/10). It is an open secret that it was stage managed as the Kharge’s candidate was selected by Sonia ji as some  problem with Ashok Gehlot for dual posts. It was not an election but selection. Infact Sonia ji should not have proposed nor selected a candidate for the post of President.She should have kept it open allowing any one interested to contest without favouring or recommending any one to the party leaders and cadre in the states. When Sonia  ji herself favouring Kharge ji, how can party delegates vote against her wish? Or should have asked Shashi Tharoor to withdraw for unanimous choice. On one side she keeps Kharge on the heads of party voters and on other side continues the election. So there is no charm nor sensation in the election. It is the perception of common cadre that as Kharge has been loyal to Nehru Indira family as Lord Hanuman to Sri Rama ,the dynasty selected him to keep him in the grip of dynasty.

If Sonia ji feels that she and her family members will not interfere in party affairs, better to keep distance with day to day affairs giving  free hand to Kharge and if needed  he can take guidance and advice from his senior colleagues including Sonia ji otherwise nothing new in electing a new President. Can country hope and expect a new Congress with old guard bringing back a part of past glory if not total?
 

JP Reddy,Nalgonda,
Telangana