Rahul Gandhi @45: Why ‘son’shine is critical for the Congress

June 19, the scion of the Gandhi dynasty, Rahul, turns 45. And it probably is the first time he is getting so much press though he is born in a family that is constantly under arc-lights.

Ever since the battered Congress’ even more hammered young leader came back from his 2-month sabbatical, media is replete with references to “Rahul Gandhi returns” saga, much like you would find with a blockbuster’s sequel.

Unfortunately for Rahul, though he has been hyped and also won a few small victories in the past, the young leader has never proven himself to be a super-hit.

When the party had sprung a surprise in Uttar Pradesh in 2009 general elections, everyone had gone gaga about how Rahul Gandhi had arrived. All the blethering about how he would take the mantle from his mother Sonia soon, and about the arrival of a new era in Congress, began to do the rounds. But the welcoming party for the Young Turk would have to wait. Because what followed was a series of flops, and slowly but steadily states began to slip out of the Congress’ hands and soon enough the writing on wall was there for everyone to see.

The outcome of the General Elections turned out to be worse than feared with the Congress posting its most dismal performance; even the Leader of Opposition post being denied to them because of party’s miniscule numbers.

The Grand Old Party was stunned. In two minutes, the young Gandhi and his infamous experiments were written off and chants grew louder to once again sleigh the cart with the old but sturdy horse. Madam Gandhi was back on the scene and drafting a rescue plan while Rahul felt the need to attend Vipassana classes to regain his composure and gain back internal strength and peace of mind.

It was believed it wouldn’t hurt if there were a few classes thrown in about public speaking and displaying confidence, especially after mincemeat was made of Rahul in a television interview ahead of elections.

After 56 days of tranquility, Rahul did emerge and in a new avatar. Taking on the bull by its horns and mouthing witty repartees. Whether it was allusion to the “Suit-boot ki Sarkar” for the government’s pro-corporate approach, his comment that “farmers will give 0/10 while 2-3 corporates will give 10/10” to the PM, or “Modi behind Modi” for the facilitation of Lalit Modi, sound-byte hunters have been loving it.

Rahul’s new found love for speaking in Lok Sabha is another fresh start, and clearly these initiatives are all getting under the skin of the BJP.

Interestingly enough, most of all the issues that the Congress vice president has taken up recently have a definitive pattern and seem to be designed to show the government as pro-rich, anti-poor and anti-farmer, in a clear strategy to win votes of people who cast the ballot in largest numbers.

Gandhi junior’s taking the wind from under the government’s wings on the land acquisition bill and championing the cause of middle class for housing are also in line with this new thinking.

Similarly, Rahul stand on net neutrality and his debut on social media have borne fruit and he has already amassed over a lakh followers on twitter.

While Lutyens Delhi is abuzz about Rahul 2.0, there seem to be a few areas of concern. There are whispers about some internal tension with Sonia Gandhi – there are constant reports about the conflict between the old and new guard, many cite the example of her absence from Parliament the day Rahul was speaking.

The second trepidation is about whether Rahul will show consistency in keeping the pressure on the Modi government. Many are circumspect that he might lose steam much the same way that he did after Bhatta-Parsaul and Niyamgiri campaigns. Others are fearful that he may sometimes show the immaturity that he did while tearing the ordinance related with disqualification of convicted politicos.

While it is hard to say whether Rahul will ever be able to emerge from Sonia Gandhi or even Priyanka’s shadow, one thing is certain that his extended break from Indian politics has done him a whole lot of good.

Unfortunately, many feel that Rahul Gandhi is a good guy in the wrong job; possibly, he is not cut out for politics, much like his father.

But what Rahul Gandhi needs to realize is that he has been portrayed as a youngster who is still making a mark for a long enough time. At 45 years, his rookie father Rajiv had already served as the Prime Minister of India.

Most of every major western leader is considered evolved enough at that age whether it is David Cameron or Barack Obama to lead the nation from the front.

With Narendra Modi having already completed one year in government and his honeymoon period now coming to an end, Rahul should seize every opportunity that the new dispensation presents and exploit it to the core, because the list of those joining the ranks of the disillusioned is already growing.

More importantly, he needs to come up with alternative ideas and a draft plan that looks achievable, and not hazard being seen as “opposing for the sake of opposing”.

The fact of the matter is that Congress is facing a deep crisis and is also going through a transition phase. The survival of the party looks hitched in many ways to the fate of Rahul Gandhi.

If he bothers to read, history can give inspiration. The Republican Party’s comeback in just two years after a confounding defeat at the hands of Democrats in 1964 is a landmark in the US. Closer home, Rahul’s grandmother Indira Gandhi reinvented herself from being called a ‘Gungi Gudiya’ into ‘Durga’ with the passage of time.

Today, Indian Congress’ re-emergence can either come through due to some blunders that the Modi led BJP government might commit, or more solidly from an agenda that the party can sell with conviction to the people.

In the first case, Rahul Gandhi will have to get lucky and for the second he would need to in reality “roll up his sleeves” and pick up the spade.

In either case it is too early for him to cavort or celebrate... even if it’s his birthday.