Nilekani may have done tech wonders, but finds politics not his cup

Internal bickerings in the Congress Party brook no one except for the members of the Nehru-Gandhi family. Nandan Nilekani, the techie giant who has given every individual in the country Unique Identification, is slowly being sidelined politically. The fact that he was one of the founders of Infosys, the UIDAI or for that matter the lifeline of Adhar Card for every individual in the country, is not being recognized even by Congress leaders of Bangalore City. Nilekani's pictures used to appear on Congress party banners, pamphlets and publicity material in South Bangalore till recently. Even in the recent municipal elections, his picture was used in the publicity material. After leaving active IT, Nilekani appeared to have taken a liking for politics. He would be present at every party function locally. But that does not seem to be helping his political cause much. What he needs to do is politicking in the old Congress style. He should be in Delhi or frequently visit the national capital to be visible. That is the style of the Grand Old Party. Now Rajiv Gowda, son of former Speaker Venkatappa, has the old Congress style in him. He wants to usurp the South Bangalore seat from Nilekani as far as the Congress is concerned. Rajiv Gowda's pictures have since started appearing in banners, pamphlets and other publicity material of the Congress, and Nilekani has gone missing. Rajiv Gowda has the approval for the pictorial change from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, it is learnt. The issue may not come to a head because like the people who have voted for it, the Congress too has short memory for its leaders, except for the Nehru-Gandhi family members. Nilekani maybe no exception to the Congress rule.