The Re, Re, Re … Launch of Rahul Gandhi

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."                                                                              

-  John Quincy Adams

In America, it is said that either you are a Republican or a democrat. The ascendance of BJP post 2014 has change the test pattern of politics in India. People are now fast attaching themselves on more stringent political lines then on issues. This trend has been again tested and confirmed in the election year of 2019 where convincing win of BJP is directly attributed to the cultural bigger than life persona of Narendra Modi.

Still among this clutter of changing ideology, priorities and perceptions – the oldest political party of the country is busy in its own priorities – the top most of the same is surely the elegant plan to launch …sorry…relaunch…sorry sorry…re re re launch its leader Rahul Gandhi. As per various media reports, Rahul Gandhi is all set for image makeover. It is said that a broad action plan is also made – with the aim for image makeover, Mr Gandhi will embark on tours across states to address railes on more basic economic issues. And to emphasize a renewed focus on India’s constitution.

Rahul Gandhi, who is soon going to turn 50 was always been a political enigma. Since his inception in Indian politics, Congress die hard supporters have declared him as India’s future and next Prime Minister. In 2004, when Congress won Lok Sabha elections – there was a rush among the congress part holders to dedicate this win to Sonia Gandhi and the heir apparent Rahul Gandhi. 2009 win cemented this concept among congress supporters hat India future and more importantly their future is going to be in hands of Rahul Gandhi. Since then, all wins for the party is directly attributed to Rahul Gandhi and off course, for all losses – state heads were directly made responsible. The ship of conception and misconceptions was sailing perfectly till it hit the political avalanche named Narendra Modi.

Rahul Gandhi’s below average perforce (hope offence will be not taken on the same though facts hurt) in last almost 16 years of his political activism has not deterred his supporters. We should not forget that in the last general election, congress party was successful on getting approx. 13 CR votes Pan India. Still the kind of long rope Rahul Gandhi has got in Congress party is typical of the party culture. Let’s look a three political incidents in last few years which raises the question on political maturity of the said leader:

(a)   Tearing cabinet approved Ordinance: On September 27th, 2013 – when India Prime Minister was in America and hours before we was actually going to meet Barrack Obama (them America Prime Minister), ,r Rahul Gandhi made a unscheduled stop in the congress press meet and thundered, - "I'll tell you what my opinion on the ordinance is. It's complete nonsense. It should be torn up and thrown away. That is my personal opinion," Now this incident is widely believed to be one of the classical example of political immaturity. In a bid to differciate between the Party and the Government and to create an image of Pro people, this was a clear attempt of embarrassing its own government. This backfired splendidly.

(b)   Leaving Congress President post after 2019 defeat: There is simply no issue when any party president take the ownership of defeat. This is good and should be appreciated. But the way, Rahul Gandhi conducted himself during the time and gave the reasons for same – simply putting the blame on other congress leaders reeks of hypocrisy. The New York Times reported, “In pointed language, he painted a dark picture of India’s future, accusing Mr. Modi’s party of “crushing the voice of the Indian people” by undermining democratic institutions and pulling apart India’s secular fabric by spreading a violent form of Hindu nationalism.” This is to understand that a leader should take both win and lost in same stride. If a leader loses and starts blaming his party officials, and indirectly the voters predicting darker times for the country is simply political arrogance.

(c)   Up teen unverified foreign trips: Modern politics is a full time activity. Its true. This most debated topic of Rahul Gandhi foreign trips raises number of questions. Also, its becomes very important that who is financing such trips of Rahul Gandhi.

Congress Party is the grand old party of the country. The People of India deserved at least an opposition which fights on the issues. The kind of dependence of Congress party on a single family is basically against the democratic fabric of the country. There is simply no issue in launch, re launch, re - re launch of the self-declared and self-proclaimed crown prince of Congress party till the time party gives equal chances for all the workers who have given their age and time to strengthen the party.

Regards,