Recently, Queen Elizabeth
completed 23,226 days, 16 hours, 30 minutes and donkey’s seconds on the British throne to become the longest serving European monarch of a European state, beating the previous record set by Queen Victoria.
Back home, our own Sonia Gandhi was
re-electedfor the umpteenth time as the Congress President. She had long back broken the previous record of being the longest serving president of the Congress, beating the previous record set by Annie Beasant.
As courtiers in Britain and India lined up to pay fulsome tribute to their queens, we bring you a snapshot of these two remarkable women who have essayed pivotal roles in the political histories of their respective countries:
Queen Elizabeth Dowager Queen Sonia
PROFILE
House of Windsors House of Nehru-Gandhis
Title: Defender of the Faith Title: Defender of Secularism
Predecessors: Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria Predecessors: Annie Beasant, Indira Gandhi
Rivals to the throne: None, unlike Queen Elizabeth I who had to be wary of Mary, Queen of Scots Rivals to throne: Feeble threat from Maneka Gandhi
Favourite Phrases: “One is not amused”, “annus mirabillis” Favourite Lines: “Hawabaaz”, “zeher ki kheti”
Her favourite Prime Minister: Tony Blair Her favourite Prime Minister: Dr Manmohan Singh
Didn’t get along with: John Major Didn’t get along with: Narasimha Rao
SIMILARITIES
Longest reigning monarch of Britain Longest reigning president of Congress party
Oversaw liquidation of the British Empire Overseeing rapid disintegration of the Congress raj
The Prime Minister is required to keep her in the loop while running the country The Prime Minister was required to keep her in the loop as well as take her permission for all major decisions
DIFFERENCES
Son itching to take her post Son itching to stay away from the post
Her daughter is 12th in line of succession after male siblings, their children and grandchildren Her daughter is second in line with her children in tow to take over the party if/when Rahul declines
Was not in favour of Scotland’s secession from UK Supported Telangana’s secession from Andhra Pradesh
The Queen of England, Elizabeth Windsor, and the Queen of Congress, Sonia Gandhi: parallels, contrasts | The UnReal Times