One Take | Method in Madness: How Congress Is Repackaging Rahul Once More as Possible PM Pick

take one

In Congress, there is often some method to the madness and nothing is said without any reason. So, when Kamal Nath suddenly said in an interview that Rahul Gandhi would be the party’s prime ministerial face in 2024, many within the Congress wondered why he said so? Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has confirmed this. Now Kamal Nath is not a novice. He is a seasoned troubleshooter for the Congress, and was instrumental in the formation of the UPA in 2004 along with a few others. And he is close to the Gandhi family, especially the siblings. There was a reason behind his statement. Then again, Bhupesh Baghel’s quick endorsement of Kamal Nath was also not unwise. He is also close to the Gandhi family, especially Priyanka.

Rahul as the face of the PM?

Yes, this is not the first time that Congress leaders want Rahul Gandhi to be the face of the PM, but since the time he took charge as the Congress President (later stepped down). He made it clear that he did not want the post, but took it after the party demanded it, and many close to Rahul calmed down and answered any questions about whether he should stand opposite Narendra Modi as the PM face. Will be done.

But with recent meetings with election strategist Prashant Kishor and the finalization of Sonia Gandhi’s exit, several top party leaders have been saying in one voice, “It’s time to bite the bullet, that is, Rahul Gandhi to BJP.” Should be the main face against.” In 2024.”

Some were worried, wondering whether Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate would help the BJP. But the more the BJP attacked him, the more Sonia Gandhi’s circle resolved to expose the “only one who openly took on the PM”, to use the words of a senior leader at one of these meetings. took. Later southern parties like YSR Congress along with BSP and TMC are blowing hot and cold on BJP, the party feels that it is only Congress, which is continuously attacking BJP, which can provide an alternative to the saffron party Even if she is looking down.

But repackaging is as important in politics as in advertising. For example, when Abhishek Banerjee needed to take charge of the Trinamool Congress as national general secretary, some saw that a new version of him was presented. Lean, a fitness freak, and sporting rimmed glasses to emphasize the point that here was someone who meant business and was not just a “bhaipo” (nephew).

Similarly, Aditya Thackeray was gently asked to shed his jeans and T-shirt look, making him look like a college student having a good time using his father’s name. Instead, we soon saw an Aaditya Thackeray in pastel shirt and trousers, decked out as a youth leader and on a mission.

And thus began the re-invention of Rahul Gandhi. The beard and T-shirt look, the impromptu YouTube interview, the candid conversation with party mates, it’s all part of a plan. To make him a fiery, aggressive face against the PM in 2024.

travel destination

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, despite denials by the Congress, is heavily political. In fact, Rahul Gandhi had said at a press conference in Delhi, “First let me finish the yatra, and then I will make a political assessment of it.”

Two things needed to be set right before Rahul Gandhi could be projected as the face of the Congress. There was an “entitled” and “Pappu” tag that he had. Yatra hopes to take care of that. Hence, the rigorous routine, the 4 a.m. waking up, the limping leg walk, and all this being made public to counter the perception of a holiday-loving, happy-go-lucky leader.

Everyone who left the other party complains that he was inaccessible and ignorant of the workers. Easy jokes with his colleagues at the end of a day, carefully and strategically issuing candid conversations with leaders, as he did with war-torn Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan, were meant to address this grievance .

With these two, and several other plans in place, the Congress hopes that by the time the yatra is over, Rahul Gandhi will be ready for the game of thrones.

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