Pathways of Political Leadership in South Asia-Limits and Possibilities

Pathways of Political Leadership in South Asia Limits and Possibilities.
Mushirul Hasan The differences in the social base, ideological orientation and contrasting styles of leadership in India and Pakistan left their imprint on the course of events after independence. Although the structures and social composition of format political parties mattered substantially, the striking contrast between India and Pakistan us also between the military rulers in West Pakistan and the Awami League leaders in East Pakistan (later Bangladesh) was the charisma, popular appeal and moral authority of individual Congress leaders and their extraordinary legitimacy in many parts of the country and among different sections of society. Today if the critique of the Gandhian and Nehruvian legacies carries weight and conviction, the responsibility rests primarily with the Congress Party. It has failed to harness its own ideological resources to mobilise the minorities, the backward castes and the dalits.