Oct
5
So, Rahul Gandhi is general secretary of the Congress Party, the lead partner in the coalition currently ruling India. So, does anyone care about this except the party workers (who think this is like winning the World Cup, but more on this later)? Here are five reasons why it cannot be a big deal unless proven otherwise:
- Where is the charisma? Don’t go by the crowds one sees following Rahul in his constituency, aptly covered by Doordarshan, but where else have you seen people swooning over him? Does he realise charisma is no longer spelt ‘Gandhi’? Or is his coterie of advisors, like his late father’s, leading him up the garden path too?
- A youth leader? Is he? Does he represent Indian youth and their aspirations? Do they really care about him – their icons are now Infosys founder Narayan Murthy, former President Kalam, actor Shah Rukh Khan and cricketer Rahul Dravid. And everyone else who became what they have with no family name and fortune, and showing the way to do it.
- Does anyone want his dole? Continuing the point 2, Rahul Gandhi is still caught up in believing development is only through the dole route – the first thing he insisted upon after being appointed General Secretary was expansion of the National Rural Employee Guarantee Scheme. No talk of taking education, healthcare and infrastructure to the interiors which will generate employment on its own and in a much bigger and sustainable manner.
- Is he really smart? Tough, considering his suspect academic credentials and subsequent work experience, if any. Can one recall any inspiring statement by Rahul Gandhi to show he has a vision for India and its citizens? And his smile, quite uncharismatic at best, cannot hide all the times he has ended pushing his own foot in the mouth when he does open it to speak.
- Leadership has to be proved, even if it is thrust upon you. Rahul Gandhi has got the ‘crown’ easily, but his ‘leadership’ has shown little success other than winning seats for only the family members. The party is losing ground – largely due to a lack of leaders who can motivate and discipline workers to perform for results.
Rahul Gandhi, show you can lead the youth – and then all posts like General Secretary etc etc will not be of any consequence. And to so that you need to start conversing with them first.
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7 Responses to “Rahul Gandhi: Show me the charisma and vision”
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Ajay,
THe recent mockery of the democratic process was self evident when the prime minister accepted the rozgaar yojna proposed by rahul gandhi. I mean still milking the age old cow of employment through schemes which have really not led to anywhere.
When will he raise issues like corruption, take a more ethical stand on not inducting tainted ministers etc etc etc. And as you said starting a conversation with todays youth.
Ajay,
It seems that the Indian and American political systems are converging. You are no strangers to political dynasties (Gandhi family), and the same trend started over here, too, with the Bushes and the Clintons.
I think we really need to ask ourselves, what are the true qualifications of these people, and is it just laziness and apathy on the part of the electorate that keeps them feeding at the trough of power?
It seems Indian politicians don’t receive attention in the US media until something tragic happens. Hopefully, the Congress party will realize that qualifications are more important than bloodline in choosing the next generation of leaders.
Anyway, good article, and thanks for the insights into a figure who gets virtually no coverage here in the US.
Hi there,
NREGS is an important programme and has the ‘potential’ of enhancing the quality of life of millions of people….so I would not belittle that. But Rahul must understand that NREGS is not something that really going to do any PR wonders.
I agree that in today’s dynamically changing landscape, he needs to be ’seen’ to be talking of other relevant issues. Ivory tower statements and those made for political mileage on the campaign trail are simply not enough. To be a youth icon he needs to address other issues of significance.
In fact more than trying to re-claim UP (not going to happen anytime soon), Rahul needs to take ownership of any one issue - primary education for example, or public health and then use the significant resources of the government to demonstrate sustainable change. Giving him charge of UP to stem and reverse the rot that his own part initiated over so many years is really not the most intelligent way to go forward.
Nice writeup and though I agree with the overall view, sometimes qualifications are not the best indicators for leadership as it depends on the issue. With increase in transparency and accountability in politics and better education, things should change( role models as you have pointed out). I have touched some of these issues in my published article- “Pahle Aandhi, phir Gandhi”- http://wplay.wordpress.com/2007/10/03/pahle-aandhi-phir-gandhi/
I agree with whatever is written in the writeup.Rahul Gandhi is will definitely show a new path to Indian youth.
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jasmine
Blazeinfotech
ajay,
he is not a leader of today, he will be leader of india in future. really i mean it.
Sharad dikshit
It is another example how immature the Indian Democracy is! It is 60 years since we got Independenace till now we haven’t overcome the Dynasty politics in this country!. We are talking about a choclate boy become our prime minister.I want to tell the bunch of Sycophants in congress that it is not you decide who be the PM but it is the people of this country. No game plan anymore. Just by touring parts of this country,going to the houses of ‘Dalits’ and hug them or eating with them is a grand design by congress is part of appeasement which shows us how immature he is.You should know that India is a big country with more than a billion population.It is not an experiment lab anymore. There are so many leaders who are able,sincere and well educated in this country to become Prime Minister, and they have come up from the Grass root Level. It is a grand Design of a Mom and Son.Mom is afraid of if his son will be jobless. So a backdoor manipulation going on.chupke..chupke..!!
Congress should Mix bit of shame with their politics!.