New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intensified his visits to working class people such as mechanic, vegetable vendors, female farmers, coolies and others. In the latest, he paid a visit to local carpenters in one of Asia’s largest furniture markets, Kirti Nagar in Delhi, on Thursday.
His meetings gained momentum ahead of the 2023 Lok Sabha Elections as well as a few Assembly polls scheduled this year. Having left a few months for the General Elections, senior Congress leader was seen meeting coolies in Delhi’s Anand Vihar Railway station recently where he also donned the red jacket of porters and carried the luggage on his head.
The series of his visits to common people started from the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ last year, which turned out to be major success for the grand-old-party. During and after the Congress’ mega rally, the party won two states – Himachal Pradesh (results released in November, 2022) and Karnataka (results related in May 2023).
Congress got the most handsome victory in both the states and experts believe that the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ was the major factor that brought grand-old party closer to people under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. This time, Indian National Congress appears to be near to common people under new leadership more than ever.
What Is ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’?
A route was planned on India’s map from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu to Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and Rahul Gandhi led a caravan passing through all states and meeting locals on the way. The yatra was ended at Lal Chowk on January 30 by unfurling Tiranga.
However, Gandhi interacted with people whom he met on the way. He met people from all working classes; from a farmer to India’s top bureaucrats. It appears to be obvious that Gandhi has now known the way to connect with the people but can it be turned into votes for the upcoming polls?
Has Rahul Become a Grassroot Leader?
As experts believe that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was elected to power due to his image as a grassroot leader. He tasted defeat to the two-consecutive term winner United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime in 2014 and took his government to the Centre.
PM Modi was considered as a ‘perfect’ alternative of the incumbent Manmohan Singh-led UPA government whose chariperson was former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.
The tables have now turned as PM Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is now incumbent, repeatedly won two consecutive terms and due to dissent on various issues including farm laws, people are also looking for an alternative.
Amid this, the experts are believing the way Rahul is reaching out to common people as well as the change in his methods have put the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a tight spot.
Pappu Image?
Rahul Gandhi was often dubbed as ‘Pappu’. The Bharat Jodo Yatra pushed away that image, compelling people to look at him differently; as a leader.