NEW DELHI, Apr 27 (The Indian Express): The Capital’s FM radios and WhatsApp chats may still be full of cheesy jokes on “Rahul baba’s holiday”, but the Congress young boys’ club is smiling for another reason.
Whatever solitary introspection Rahul Gandhi did while he was missing in action seems to have done him a lot of good. Not only has the Congress vice-president come back reinvigorated, but he is also displaying the best match fitness he has ever shown. Since his return, he has pulled off two long, pugnacious speeches in the Lok Sabha, receiving much play on news television.
He seems to be bursting with ideas and purpose: taking off on the arduous trek to the Kedarnath temple on the season’s opening day via the new 21-km trail.
But what is being seen as a sunrise by some Congress insiders could bring a sunset for the old set that ruled the roost till now.
“It’s pack-up time for us. From Indira Gandhi to Rajiv and Soniaji, I’ve given lot of time to the party in Delhi. Now I can go back to my state and work among my own people. I will contribute to the party in whatever little way I can,” said a key Congress functionary.
The spell of uncertainty seems a thing of the past. One could say he was handed a good script and an author-backed role. The first speech was on the Land Acquisition Bill, which seems to have become a bit of a millstone around the Narendra Modi Government’s neck. Regardless of whether they will eventually be able to pull it off or not, and outside of the question of whether it’s good for development or not, the Bill is providing plenty of ammunition to its critics, who are all milking it.
What surprised all was that Rahul moved seamlessly into this space, speaking from the front benches of the Opposition side, withstanding the jeers and disruptions from ruling party members, and even giving back a few jibes.
Enthused by the positive coverage he got, he was back on the floor the next day. This time net neutrality was the theme.
The middle-class obsession addressed, he was up in Gaurikund, trekking energetically up to one of Hinduism’s holiest shrines, on an invitation from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat. The symbolism was again hard to miss. The minorities have deserted the Congress only in states where it is no longer a viable option.