Rahul Gandhi's advisors, who consistently guide his every utterance, possess the capability to turn the seemingly impossible into reality. Despite his gentlemanly image, clad in a white T-shirt and expressing no overt desire for power, Rahul Gandhi exudes an air of superiority, anticipating the nation's eventual re-election of him and his party. However, the path seems distant if he continues to approach it with nonchalance and a sense of entitlement. Apart from organizational challenges, one glaring factor contributing to Rahul Gandhi's missteps is his advisors. As per Chanakya's wisdom, a king's mistakes can be attributed to his priests, ministers and advisors. In this context, these three roles are embodied by spokespersons who excessively praise Rahul, irresponsible party officials, and his political strategists cum advisors, respectively.
Taking a trip back to 2017, the Congress party posed a formidable challenge to Narendra Modi on his home turf of Gujarat. This episode serves as a stark illustration of how an ill-advised move can lead the ship perilously close to sinking, almost within sight of the coast. The Congress campaign was at its peak during that time, with prominent figures like Patidar leader Hardik Patel and Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani standing shoulder to shoulder with Rahul Gandhi. The election seemed to be within Congress's grasp, thanks in no small part to the meticulous planning of Late Shri. Ahmed Patel.However, the tide turned when Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala declared Rahul Gandhi to be a Janeudhari Hindu. This statement compelled Rahul Gandhi to align himself with that narrative, causing disillusionment among voters influenced by the prevailing casteist atmosphere. Seizing the opportunity, the BJP and PM Modi effectively intertwined Hindutva with the narrative of insult of Gujarat and Modi himself, securing 99 seats and forming the government. Modi learned from this strategy and applied it again in 2022, resulting in a resounding victory for the BJP. In retrospect, the contrast between a wise advisor like Ahmed Patel and a misguided spokesperson like Surjewala is evident. Despite the strategic brilliance of Patel, the ill-timed declaration by Surjewala played a pivotal role in the electoral outcome. As for Surjewala's current whereabouts, he seems to have disappeared from the political landscape, presumably for reasons that are quite apparent.
Over the past decade, Rahul Gandhi has grappled with an ongoing advisory crisis. While his advisors have successfully crafted an image of Rahul as an honest, gentlemanly, diligent and genuinely polite individual, they have struggled to transform him into a "seasoned politician." The Gandhi family appears to be entrenched in the belief that they remain the guiding lights of the grand old party, capable of returning to power without necessarily relying on alliance partners. Contrary to this mindset, the BJP has steadily cultivated confidence over the years, demonstrating its ability to secure power independently. However, even the BJP, despite its self-sufficiency, continues to collaborate with alliance partners. Although some parties have withdrawn from the NDA, others have joined the coalition.
Rahul's advisors have persistently attempted to project him as a devout Hindu, a narrative that Rahul himself has actively embraced. However, the strategy of adopting "soft Hindutva" has not yielded favorable results for the Congress. Whether one agrees or not, the domain of Hindutva is firmly occupied by the BJP. Remarkably, this echoes the situation when Randeep Surjewala was sidelined years ago, and yet similar tactics are being employed once again by Rahul's advisors. The challenge remains for the Congress to find a distinct political identity that resonates effectively with the electorate, beyond attempts to emulate the BJP's stronghold on certain narratives.
Recently, Sam Pitroda, the leader of the Congress Overseas outfit, stirred controversy by questioning the significance of the consecration of Ram Mandir in comparison to pressing issues like unemployment. Promptly, Jairam Ramesh, the Congress Communication In Charge, clarified that Pitroda's views were personal and did not represent the party's position. While Ramesh has consistently shown an ability to take clear stands and anticipate challenges, Rahul Gandhi appears to align himself more with provocative figures than with problem-solving leaders like Ramesh.Rahul Gandhi can consider himself fortunate that individuals like Jairam Ramesh refrained from joining the G-23 league, a faction that addressed internal reform concerns within the party in a letter to Ms. Sonia Gandhi. Notably, some notable figures, including Gulam Nabi Azad and Kapil Sibal, decided to leave the party in response to these issues. Concurrently, several regional dynastic parties are witnessing internal fissures.
Despite the Congress maintaining a substantial vote base and Rahul Gandhi's tireless efforts, burning the midnight oil, the crux of the matter lies in the direction of these efforts. The belated realization that the Congress is losing organizational strength, with only a handful of regional leaders retaining sway over party workers, presents a significant challenge. The anticipated exodus from the party in the upcoming months, especially leading up to the general elections, forewarns a turbulent period for the Congress party.
