The run up to General Elections 2004 in India saw the harangue of certain political aspirants, especially of the older ilk, stressing the importance of ‘origin’. Their linking the issue of origin to that of loyalty or even patriotism seemed all too convenient and moreover, repugnant. The mindless tirade directed against an individual due to ‘origin’ was starkly incongruent; especially as it was also ‘originating’ from the self-serving breed of post-independence politicians that one has alarmingly become accustomed to. Be that as it may, India opted for the high road and vindicated herself by focussing on relevance rather than irreverence.

Whether Sonia Gandhi eventually chose to be a martyr, or became the queen or pawn of political endplay, we will never know–despite the countless postulations, expostulations and diatribes ranging from the absurdly antagonistic to the downright sycophantic, which have ensued.

But, one thing is for sure: the relentless trend of Sonia-bashing, translating into the question of her foreign origin, eventually coming a cropper proved that linking the importance of ‘origin’ to that of electoral suitability and governance, was redundant in Indian polity, and rightfully so. The Indian electorate, after all, is truly evolving, if not mature, and it needs more than mere flatulent rhetoric, to be persuaded, dissuaded, or even duped.

If a Kiwi, John Wright, can mastermind a historic win for India in Pakistan, and the Mother can contribute selflessly to a nation not of her ‘origin’–then what prevents anybody else?