Nation wonders whether Sonia Gandhi will be pulling the strings behind her chosen PM
'Manmohan Singh is in office but Sonia Gandhi is in power,' is how leading columnist M.J. Akbar summed up one of the most extraordinary weeks in Indian politics, when Mrs Gandhi renounced the prime minister's post, nominating instead her colleague.
If Indians were split over whether it was appropriate for the Italian-born Mrs Gandhi to be prime minister, opinion is equally divided over whether she will be the power behind the throne.
The reason for such speculation is the unprecedented state of affairs in Indian politics. Mrs Gandhi has emerged as the leader of the nation, not merely of the Congress party. As party president she is now more powerful than before, owing to her newfound moral authority.
Mrs Gandhi has said she will strengthen the party organisation. Party workers need to be energised and infighting stamped out. Her son, Rahul, a first-time MP, will help her revive the party.
And yet the rumour mills are saying she will pull the strings, even though Mr Singh is her own choice. Why? Well, for one, the party is for the first time more powerful than the prime minister's office as a result of her unparalleled standing.
For another, the prime minister, for the first time in parliamentary history, has not been elected but was nominated leader of his own MPs. It means Mrs Gandhi has the authority to change the leader whenever she wants.
