( I had written this after the Congress Chintan Shivir. However, much has happened since then. )
He is the funnyman of politics. Every time he pulls that earnest face and makes a comment Facebook and Twitter goes viral making him the centre piece of Jibes and jokes. “Rahul is not only Bachcha in politics but also Kachcha,” said the Shiv Sena spokesperson over his comment comparing the Kargil war to the FDI in retail issue. May be at the age of 42 Rahul Gandhi is still a bachcha in Politics but consider this Kaccha bachcha becoming the Prime minister of India! Do you remember the comment he made post Mumbai bombings more lately about Baba Ramdev? We have even seen footage on him being literally man handled and forced to return on one occasion when he went to meet people in hospitals. How many times has Rahul Gandhi got you into peals by his immature comments. “Butt of joke?” asks Sujoy Dhar a senior Journalist who works with Reuters and the Washington Post, “The drama of the ‘reluctant prince’s’ coronation is perhaps one that can be compared to a candy floss Karan Johar family drama that is feel embarrassed to watch as a thinking person. The tagline can well be- it is all about loving your family.” In fact the drama which he participated in when Sonia Gandhi gave up her Prime Ministership was outright silly. Till now all this was fine because for many political watchers he was a diversion and a comic relief. In the backdrop of the scheming and scandalous political pot boiler Rahul Gandhi with all his immaturity was the laughter comedy show which we did not mind. But now the scene is changing. May be come next election he will be pitted as the congress Prime Ministerial candidate. With BJP and Congress the two single largest contenders for the Indian throne Rahul Gandhi will be one of the most important politicians in the years to come.
Take away the Gandhi from Rahul and one would have to consider his political credibility. Perhaps if Rahul Gandhi had really worked hard from the grass root level from the very outset he would have found himself more acceptable. He has always lived in that project life of an conserved species living a life of luxury inin & race course home and later 12 Tughlak road home. He did not need to even earn the rent of those homes he
lived in. He may have travelled across, went to villages alighting from his air-conditioned coaches but he has never been in touch with real India. Perhaps his Marie Antoniette comments stem from the fact that he has never lived life of a common Indian. Joyeeta Basu of the Sunday Guardian says, “he talks about bringing democracy in the party, but he himself is perpetuating family rule.
What has he done to make him eligible to become Prime Minister? Has he worked his way up in the party? How many elections has he won for the congress? The prime minister’s chair is not a family entitlement.” Joyeeta is right, but it is sad that the congress the oldest party in India could not come up with an alternate leader other than the Gandhi scion. Ironically without the Gandhi stamp the congress does not feel united.
So, what can baba Gandhi do when the leadership is handed to him in a platter. Dhar still feels that “his run for prime ministership is nothing unusual. India is all about dynastic politics and in true tradition of Congress he is the natural heir to the throne. If Congress and BJP are the two main political parties of India that would rule the country alternately, albeit with the conditional supports of the powerful regional parties, and if Congress DNA itself is all about falling back on the Gandhis, then who can stop Rahul Gandhi. ” But the Uttar Pradesh debacle proved that Rahul’s charisma could not break the BSP Maya(The UP election campaign of congress was led by Rahul). It also proves that outside Congress people were looking beyond his blue Gandhi/ Nehru blood and seeking a party of the masses. But then why must we try out a person who has no basis in Politics and his only claim to leadership is his surname? Bengal Post Journalist Arindam Basu argues, “It is easy to pull him down but Rahul Gandhi is sauve and has the panache which come with good grooming. He is the face of the youth! He may be politic’s petulant child. I agree he is still a rookie but let him mature. let him get fully baked. He has politics in his genes. He was born into the political cradle. When Rahul’s father Rajiv came into politics he was not even mature but at the age of 37 he had given such a fine speech at the UN and everybody said that a new world leader had emerged. So, to discard him as a joke would be foolish. Let us try him out. May be I have to eat my words but I am hopeful." Of course he went to some of the finest schools right from Doon to Harvard to Cambridge but we are still unsure what he really
studied and how he used his knowledge. In fact we heard Rahul in the recently concluded congress Chintan Shivir. Basu adds, “Analyse the speech that Rahul Gandhi gave in Jaipur. He got emotional, talked about his grandmother, talked about his personal loss. He left Congress workers and leaders weeping. But if he had been rooted to reality he would have realised that the political rhetoric has changed in this country. The youth he is supposed to be targeting as potential Congress voters were not even born in 1984. They have read about Indira Gandhi in history books. Rajiv Gandhi is just a photograph to them. The Gandhi name does not hold any meaning for them. This is the post Nehru-Gandhi age. In fact not just the youth, the Nehru-Gandhi name does not hold any fascination for anyone anymore. But the Congress refuses to acknowledge this primarily because it knows that it will not survive without the Gandhi glue that holds it together. And these are the people who surround the Gandhis. So is it a surprise that he is divorced from reality?”
Dhar agrees when he says, ”Rahul Gandhi's comments have always been very immature in the sense that I have never seen him delivering in line with his words. I still do not know his views on various important issues. A few occasions he has spoken, he has made some gaffes unbecoming of a member of India's first family of politics. I still cannot believe that he could indeed compare the Kargil War cooperation by Congress as the main opposition back then in 1999 with any other domestic political issue.”
Rajib Ghosh, News Editor, Aajkaal differs. “What will we do with maturity?Give our youth importance. Immature Indira Ghandhi was a wonder while the mature Indira Gandhi was a blunder. We don’t need a neta or someone big to run the country. Rajiv Gandhi was not a mature politician when he became the PM but he contributed in a big way in terms of Panchayati Raj and bringing in technology but what did the much mature Manmohan Singh give us? Rising prices of everything. I am impressed by the way Rahul has chosen his team. They are excellent guys like Milnd Deora, Jyotiraditya Scindiya, etc They have their political base, sound heads , all of them have good foreign education in technology, business management. BJP might have lawyers but the young congress leaders have a good mix of talent. This entire group is learned, poised, sophisticated, good speakers. They are the face of young India.”
While Ghosh’s views makes us feel upbeat. We agree that the old set of politicians in all parties should give way to new faces of young India. One wonders why not young Scindhia son or the Deora boy for prime ministership to project the face of new India. What has Rahul done to claim his party presidentship or his candidature. It is not that we don’t feel that there must be something good in Rahul….but India needs to see it. Dhar agree to it when he says, “Well, I think Rahul Gandhi so far has not delivered and yet he has been projected by the Congress as their Messiah. I do not judge him by the UP elections alone. That would
be unfair. But I think Rahul Gandhi is not a natural politician or speaker. When he was speaking at the Congress Chintan Shivir in Jaipur at his coronation, it was apparent. I think in his zeal to deliver something offbeat he prepared and spoke about the kind of reforms that are blocked by the government of his own party,” says Dhar adding that he does not dooubt young gandhi's intent, “I have seen the man travelling from one place to another across India, but never understood what he delivered after each visit.”
As for the “Aam Admi” Rahul Gandhi will remain as a celebrity whom they will go to watch just like any Bollywood star. But for the educated Indians he will remain a cartoon character till he shows some work. I would suggest the baby Gandhi to keep shut till on important national matters till he learns to understand them or get's himself a sound adviser to write all he says. Besides, who wouldn’t laugh at a person whose mother puts a dummy king and keeps the throne at bay till her baby grows up to be able to manage it on his own….time you grew up Rahul…..kingdom or no kingdom…..
He is the funnyman of politics. Every time he pulls that earnest face and makes a comment Facebook and Twitter goes viral making him the centre piece of Jibes and jokes. “Rahul is not only Bachcha in politics but also Kachcha,” said the Shiv Sena spokesperson over his comment comparing the Kargil war to the FDI in retail issue. May be at the age of 42 Rahul Gandhi is still a bachcha in Politics but consider this Kaccha bachcha becoming the Prime minister of India! Do you remember the comment he made post Mumbai bombings more lately about Baba Ramdev? We have even seen footage on him being literally man handled and forced to return on one occasion when he went to meet people in hospitals. How many times has Rahul Gandhi got you into peals by his immature comments. “Butt of joke?” asks Sujoy Dhar a senior Journalist who works with Reuters and the Washington Post, “The drama of the ‘reluctant prince’s’ coronation is perhaps one that can be compared to a candy floss Karan Johar family drama that is feel embarrassed to watch as a thinking person. The tagline can well be- it is all about loving your family.” In fact the drama which he participated in when Sonia Gandhi gave up her Prime Ministership was outright silly. Till now all this was fine because for many political watchers he was a diversion and a comic relief. In the backdrop of the scheming and scandalous political pot boiler Rahul Gandhi with all his immaturity was the laughter comedy show which we did not mind. But now the scene is changing. May be come next election he will be pitted as the congress Prime Ministerial candidate. With BJP and Congress the two single largest contenders for the Indian throne Rahul Gandhi will be one of the most important politicians in the years to come.Take away the Gandhi from Rahul and one would have to consider his political credibility. Perhaps if Rahul Gandhi had really worked hard from the grass root level from the very outset he would have found himself more acceptable. He has always lived in that project life of an conserved species living a life of luxury inin & race course home and later 12 Tughlak road home. He did not need to even earn the rent of those homes he
lived in. He may have travelled across, went to villages alighting from his air-conditioned coaches but he has never been in touch with real India. Perhaps his Marie Antoniette comments stem from the fact that he has never lived life of a common Indian. Joyeeta Basu of the Sunday Guardian says, “he talks about bringing democracy in the party, but he himself is perpetuating family rule.
What has he done to make him eligible to become Prime Minister? Has he worked his way up in the party? How many elections has he won for the congress? The prime minister’s chair is not a family entitlement.” Joyeeta is right, but it is sad that the congress the oldest party in India could not come up with an alternate leader other than the Gandhi scion. Ironically without the Gandhi stamp the congress does not feel united.
So, what can baba Gandhi do when the leadership is handed to him in a platter. Dhar still feels that “his run for prime ministership is nothing unusual. India is all about dynastic politics and in true tradition of Congress he is the natural heir to the throne. If Congress and BJP are the two main political parties of India that would rule the country alternately, albeit with the conditional supports of the powerful regional parties, and if Congress DNA itself is all about falling back on the Gandhis, then who can stop Rahul Gandhi. ” But the Uttar Pradesh debacle proved that Rahul’s charisma could not break the BSP Maya(The UP election campaign of congress was led by Rahul). It also proves that outside Congress people were looking beyond his blue Gandhi/ Nehru blood and seeking a party of the masses. But then why must we try out a person who has no basis in Politics and his only claim to leadership is his surname? Bengal Post Journalist Arindam Basu argues, “It is easy to pull him down but Rahul Gandhi is sauve and has the panache which come with good grooming. He is the face of the youth! He may be politic’s petulant child. I agree he is still a rookie but let him mature. let him get fully baked. He has politics in his genes. He was born into the political cradle. When Rahul’s father Rajiv came into politics he was not even mature but at the age of 37 he had given such a fine speech at the UN and everybody said that a new world leader had emerged. So, to discard him as a joke would be foolish. Let us try him out. May be I have to eat my words but I am hopeful." Of course he went to some of the finest schools right from Doon to Harvard to Cambridge but we are still unsure what he really
studied and how he used his knowledge. In fact we heard Rahul in the recently concluded congress Chintan Shivir. Basu adds, “Analyse the speech that Rahul Gandhi gave in Jaipur. He got emotional, talked about his grandmother, talked about his personal loss. He left Congress workers and leaders weeping. But if he had been rooted to reality he would have realised that the political rhetoric has changed in this country. The youth he is supposed to be targeting as potential Congress voters were not even born in 1984. They have read about Indira Gandhi in history books. Rajiv Gandhi is just a photograph to them. The Gandhi name does not hold any meaning for them. This is the post Nehru-Gandhi age. In fact not just the youth, the Nehru-Gandhi name does not hold any fascination for anyone anymore. But the Congress refuses to acknowledge this primarily because it knows that it will not survive without the Gandhi glue that holds it together. And these are the people who surround the Gandhis. So is it a surprise that he is divorced from reality?”
Dhar agrees when he says, ”Rahul Gandhi's comments have always been very immature in the sense that I have never seen him delivering in line with his words. I still do not know his views on various important issues. A few occasions he has spoken, he has made some gaffes unbecoming of a member of India's first family of politics. I still cannot believe that he could indeed compare the Kargil War cooperation by Congress as the main opposition back then in 1999 with any other domestic political issue.”
Rajib Ghosh, News Editor, Aajkaal differs. “What will we do with maturity?Give our youth importance. Immature Indira Ghandhi was a wonder while the mature Indira Gandhi was a blunder. We don’t need a neta or someone big to run the country. Rajiv Gandhi was not a mature politician when he became the PM but he contributed in a big way in terms of Panchayati Raj and bringing in technology but what did the much mature Manmohan Singh give us? Rising prices of everything. I am impressed by the way Rahul has chosen his team. They are excellent guys like Milnd Deora, Jyotiraditya Scindiya, etc They have their political base, sound heads , all of them have good foreign education in technology, business management. BJP might have lawyers but the young congress leaders have a good mix of talent. This entire group is learned, poised, sophisticated, good speakers. They are the face of young India.”
While Ghosh’s views makes us feel upbeat. We agree that the old set of politicians in all parties should give way to new faces of young India. One wonders why not young Scindhia son or the Deora boy for prime ministership to project the face of new India. What has Rahul done to claim his party presidentship or his candidature. It is not that we don’t feel that there must be something good in Rahul….but India needs to see it. Dhar agree to it when he says, “Well, I think Rahul Gandhi so far has not delivered and yet he has been projected by the Congress as their Messiah. I do not judge him by the UP elections alone. That would
be unfair. But I think Rahul Gandhi is not a natural politician or speaker. When he was speaking at the Congress Chintan Shivir in Jaipur at his coronation, it was apparent. I think in his zeal to deliver something offbeat he prepared and spoke about the kind of reforms that are blocked by the government of his own party,” says Dhar adding that he does not dooubt young gandhi's intent, “I have seen the man travelling from one place to another across India, but never understood what he delivered after each visit.”
As for the “Aam Admi” Rahul Gandhi will remain as a celebrity whom they will go to watch just like any Bollywood star. But for the educated Indians he will remain a cartoon character till he shows some work. I would suggest the baby Gandhi to keep shut till on important national matters till he learns to understand them or get's himself a sound adviser to write all he says. Besides, who wouldn’t laugh at a person whose mother puts a dummy king and keeps the throne at bay till her baby grows up to be able to manage it on his own….time you grew up Rahul…..kingdom or no kingdom…..
