dailyO
Politics

Five things Rahul Gandhi must do if he wants to lead Congress

Advertisement
Nadim Asrar
Nadim AsrarApr 21, 2015 | 11:46

Five things Rahul Gandhi must do if he wants to lead Congress

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi returned with a vengeance last week, meeting rain-hit farmers on Saturday, addressing a mega Ramlila Maidan rally on Sunday and topping it with making his first-ever Parliament speech from the opposition benches on Monday. It is a calibrated exercise by the Congress to ensure the 44-year-old's transition as his mother Sonia Gandhi's replacement.

If Rahul Gandhi really wants that position, there are a few things he must do now:

Advertisement

1. Stay: It's simple. And the most crucial. He should be around. And handy. To fellow Congressmen and women. And the nation. Win over the inner sceptics. And the outer ones who are not yet sure if he is up to be Modi's replacement. It's a formidable ambition. Sticking around will help.

2. Speak: More frequently. In Parliament. Just like he did in Lok Sabha today. Outside Parliament. TV studios, roadside appearances, rallies - anything that captures eyeballs. And imagination.

3. Open up: There is an air of reticence around Rahul. He makes politics come across as a cross he is forced to carry. Because of the famous last name. Make it look easy, mate. Play along.

4. Become Modi: Here is a theory: Manmohan Singh made Modi possible. The nation got tired of a non-communicado PM. Longed for soundbites. Which Modi provided in plenty. And the nation lapped it up. Every word. And catapulted Modi to where we see him now. Ironically to silence. And distance (even literally, considering his love for foreign tours). Time to grab it. Do to Modi what he did to Manmohan. It has come to him on a platter.

Advertisement

And finally...

5. Join Twitter/Facebook: Despite the social media being overrated in a country with barely 10 per cent of its people with internet, there has been an unfair influence that it exerts on the national political discourse. Especially Twitter. See how easily your bete noire Modi can even tweet on Viveik Oberoi. Or Ramdev. Get tweeting. Get a handle. @RahulFor2019 is not bad.

Last updated: April 21, 2015 | 11:46
IN THIS STORY
Please log in
I agree with DailyO's privacy policy