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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15 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!.
Narendra modi is performing well for Gujarat, but that doesn’t mean that he can or would like to replicate the same model as a PM. National politics is different ball of game and I like to believe that Rahul Gandhi (as one of the gen next mascot) definitely has the inherent knowledge and quality to lead India as a PM.
I am worried about few visible factors about him though,
a) He lacks a demonstrated performance track record as Narendra Modi.
b) His non confident body language which doesn’t send any positive vibes like other leaders do. Yes, it does matter a lot. His voice is as low toned as Manmohan singh or Sachin Tendulkar(none of them are orators).He stands with drooping shoulders and often fumbles and drops his papers while he speaks.
When you see Obama or Narendra Modi speaking next time try to imagine our Rahul gandhi in the same scenario, you easily get my message.
Yet, I would like to a see a manly young leader like Obama taking the reigns of this country as our next PM and sincerely hope that Rahul Gandhi improves himself to become one.
I found few persons like him who has already raised a very sensitive issue that honest people are rarely finding a ticket in the lok shabha polls. with such a bold statement, he can be the icon like barack obama. but to get to the ratings earned by obama, rahul gandhi has to be a best orator, deliver extempore speeches with eye contacts with the people whom he is addressing, must quickly be able to roll out the road map of development of india before the masses, articulate answers to questions posed by media people in press conferences, show vision in tackling theething troubles of india, arouse confidence, motivation and feeling of patriotism among masses by the time he leaves the podium after finishing his speech.
he must read chapter nine, ten and specially eleven of “THE GOLDEN SPARROW AWAKENS” minimum 5-6 times to enrich his statistics on india’s economy, the road map for creation of wealth in trillions, generating jobs in millions, attract FDI and make indian GDP double digit even in the economic down turn times happening around the world.
His vision to lead the country from front with full confidence should be evident like his father exihibited in his first ever speech he delivered to the nation immediately after the tragic death of her mother late mrs. Indira gandhi. in fact, rahul must see the video of recorded speeches of his father again and again to learn the art of speking, punctuation, thrust, bullying, resilience, courage, maturity, political sagasity and even the lession he delivered to the international community at a UN session on nuclear disarmament.
rahul also must sure to avoid those mistakes, his father, late rajiv ji has made when some his most trusted ministers gave him wrong advises.
rahul should also learn the technique his father was skilled at creating a cutural wind across the country and in the international arena. most of the countries round the world were watching festivals of india in their own countries, india doordarshan and other channels were telecasting “MELE SOOR MERA THUMAHARA, TO SOOR BENE HAMARA” and similar other good footages, rare and well composed tunes to create a cultural bondage among people of india of any religion or faith, RUN FOR INDIA like marathans enveloping the whole youth around all big and mid size cities in the country.
It is well known fact that today he is not in the hot chair and we shall not be able to guage his energy and maneouvering skills; nevertheless, he must display exemplary oratory skills and confidence on the stage to influence the litetrate, intelligent, knowledgeable people of this country. less literate people even give more weightage to these skills of the leader than the fortunate literate.
i hope these comments would reach to the young leader in time before the rhetoric of the lok shabha elections start demanding on his time, when the young leader is yet to spend more time to become apt on these skills.
last but once again reminding to the young leader not to miss reading chapetr 11 of “THE GOLDEN SPARROW AWAKENS” to keep himself totally updated on economy, national development and new ideas to work on out of box thinking innovating ways and becoming deft in handling bigger platforms and rallies already getting prepared for him to be addressed with the position of NEW VISION AND MISSION for the emerging INDIA.
last word of caution: HE MUST KEEP BEST ADVISORS who give correct and transparent advice.
my request to our prince rahul ji, plz, dont go so open in public,
we love you more then enything.i hope you understend,what we wanted to request, we can die for you, but we dont want to ….. you.
hindu+muslim+sikh+isai+bhud+jain=hindustan
After watching the 2009 LS Election campaign and then the result, it is quite evident that Rahul Gandhi is the only leader who can cause a decline of the divisive politics of the BJP and its ultimate decimation. But he will have to lead the party from the front and not succumb to the sycophancy of his party colleagues pressing him to join the government.
Hi Sambo, I agree with you that he will have to lead with maturity and take the right decisions. But Rahul Gandhi being the only leader who can change this country’s divisive policies? Let us not give him so much credit yet, he still has his own party to handle first. They have been giving us enough trouble in their own way.
Ajay,
Good article and nice analysis. I read the comments too and you would find that there are at least 2 people who believe he is a good leader. Where is the basis? What leadership has he shown? Elections are not demonstration of leadership. They are actually marketing drives.
You would realize that the question of Rahul Gandhi’s leadership is quite immaterial. While people call Congress leaders as sycophants, I think they are really smart and understand the pulse of the Indian population very well. Why would they bring on a foreign origin lady, with no political experience, as a leader of their party, saying she is savior of the nation? And did that ploy work? See it for yourself!
The real problem is we Indians still believe that Gandhi’s can do no wrong and Congress leaders have understood this fact very well.
And while we say its time to think about our leaders, how many of us actually go and vote or actively take part in politics? There was about 44% voting in Bombay this year, the city which is not only educated, but I used to think that it knows what is right and wrong and has undergone so many things in the last years, be it rain or terrorists. 60 years of independence and now we have started going back in time, talk about progress and development.
Its much easier to influence people who are less informed and I think Congress is taking advantage of that situation by promoting people like Rahul Gandhi, who are sellable due to their name. This was a very good marketing gimmick, which worked very well for Congress.
Please like me ponder at the situation, discuss, get frustrated and then get back to work.
Regards,
Aniket
Hi Aniket,
You have put it all so well and added to the point I was trying to make. For all his talk, politics continues to be a dangerous game for people like us who may want to join in and do something about the situation. You have to tow the leadership line. Even people like Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sachin Pilot, who I have met on various occasions, never open their mouth for what is right and wrong despite being brilliant individuals. Sad.
Educate people and see how they change their own destinies.
Cheers… Ajay
TUSHAR GANDHI SHOULD BE MADE THE VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS(INC)2nd POST AFTER SONIA GANDHI,BECAUSE THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS ALSO BELONGED TO MAHATMA GANDHI SAME AS NEHRU,BAPU PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN INC DURING FREEDOM MOVEMENT,WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA HAVE COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF BAPU’S FAMILY ON (INC),AT PRESENT THE (INC) HAS BECOME A PERMANMENT PROPERTY OF NEHRU-INDIRA FAMILY,THE MEMBERS OF BAPU’S FAMILY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY PUSHED A SIDE,IT DOSENT REALLY MATTERS AT ALL THAT TUSHAR APPEARED 50 YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF BAPU,IT ALL MATTER THAT TUSHAR IS THE BLOOD OF BAPU’S FAMILY WHCIH IS MORE THEN ENOUGH,OUR SENIOR+CORRUPT+CUNNING CONGRESS LEADERS NEVER EVER invited TUSHAR SINCE FROM BEGINNING,NOBODY FROM CONGRESS TOLD HIM TO JOIN (AICC),IT WAS DUTY OF CONGRESS TO HAND OVER 2nd KEY POST OF(AICC) TO TUSHAR GANDHI AS A RESPECT TO THE FAMILY OF (FATHER OF THE NATION)BECAUSE CONGRESS IGNORED TUSHAR HE WAS FORCED JOIN (SP)IN 1998 TO FIGHT ELECTION FROM MUMBAI.THE MP/MLA OF CONGRESS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE SUCESSFULLY ENTERED THEIR WHOLE FAMILY INTO CONGRESS.THINKING THAT THE(INC)IS THEIR FATHERS PROPERTY,THE SON’S AND DAUGHTER’S OF CONGRESS LEADERS HAVE BEEN MADE CHIEF MINISTERS OF STATES,EACH AND EVERY FAMILY MEMBER OF CONGRESS ARE ENJOYING THEIR RESPECTIVE POSTS IN (AICC) THE ONLY PERSON WHO’S FAMILY HAS BEEN LEFT OUT IS (BAPU-MAHATMA GANDHI)YES THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF BAPU HAVE BEEN CHEATED,IGNORED,TODAY’S POLITICIANS DONT CARE ABOUT THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS FAMILY,THEY ONLY KNOW TO MAKE CASH IN THEIR NAME,MOST OF THE MP/MLS OF WHOLE INDIA DONT KNOW EVEN TO SING NATIONAL ANTEM(JANA-GaNA-MANA)..THE CONGRESS GOVT EVEN DIDNT CARE TO BRING BACK BAPU’S BELONGING’S BACK FROM USA THANKS TO VIJAY MALLYA,FROM THIS INCIDENCE WE CAN GUESS THAT THE CONGRESS NOW DOSENT CARE EVEN BAPU?THEN WHAT ABOUT HIS FAMILY.ATPRESENT THE INDIAN NATION CONGRESS IS COMPLETELYCAPTURED BY CORRUPT/MAFIA POLITICIAN,WHO DONT CARE ABOUT ANYONE FROM FREEDOM MOVEMENT ERA.I KINDLY PLEASE REQUEST THE POELPE OF INDIA AND MEDIA TO FOCUS THIS ISSUE AND TAKE ACTION.OUR FIGHT IS AGAINST INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS TO GIVE RIGHTS TO BAPU’S FAMILY AND MAKE TUSHAR GANDHI THE VICE PRESIDENT OF (AICC)…THANK YOU…0998901114 (emmanueljohn@rediffmail.com)