Rahul’s brand of politics

Rahul Gandhi commands attention like few others in Indian politics-sometimes for flashes of promise, often for spectacular missteps. Born into the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, he inherited the Congress party’s leadership mantle not by conquest, but by circumstance. The assassinations of Indira, Rajiv, and Sanjay Gandhi left a void only family could fill. Groomed as the heir apparent, Rahul was expected to mature politically and psychologically before assuming the throne from his mother, Sonia. Rahul’s trajectory underscores dynasty’s perils. Named Congress president on December 16, 2017, after a decade as unchallenged “leader,” he presided over the 2019 electoral rout and promptly resigned. Yet, two decades later, maturity remains elusive, casting a long shadow over his role as Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha since June 2024. His 2024 LoP elevation stemmed from Congress’s modest revival, not personal prowess. The right surname propelled him past abler peers, who languish in the shadows or defect to greener pastures. His parliamentary speeches epitomize mediocrity: lackluster, drab, devoid of rhetorical fire or factual rigor. To compensate, Rahul has mastered sensationalism, zeroing in on one perennial target-Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ever the veteran, Modi, talking of Rahul, once quipped in 2016, “Some people learn with age, but some don’t. They age, yet understanding lags, taking time to dawn.” The barb fits. Modi’s stature-forged as Gujarat’s chief minister over decades-dwarfs Rahul’s novice act. Rahul’s sensless attacks on Modi yield traction among echo chambers but misfire against a leader perceived as seasoned, untouchable. On February 11, during the budget session, he unleashed a tirade, claiming the India-US trade deal “surrendered” India’s future to Washington. No Indian PM, he thundered, not even Modi, would sign such terms “unless under a chokehold.” It was vintage Rahul- wild allegations laced with conspiracy fantasies of shadowy, corrupt forces puppeteering the government. Now, the Modi government has fired back with a privilege motion notice, eyeing Rahul’s suspension from Parliament. This escalates an already absurd charade. Rahul’s right to speak, critique-even err-is sacrosanct in democracy. He pushes himself to an unwanted position and should learn that he must own and correct mistakes, not evade them. Yet hypocrisy abounds on the other side where ruling BJP MPs have spewed vitriol, incited brawls, or worse, without facing expulsion. On the other hand, suspending Rahul reeks of double standards, burnishing his victimhood even as his immaturity invites it. His ego blinds him to the obvious- recycled barbs aren’t revelations; they’re echoes everyone hears. In truth, penalizing Rahul insults democracy’s robustness. Institutions weathered Indira’s Emergency; they can handle Rahul’s bluster. The real insanity lies in Congress’s indulgence, propping a dynast whose shtick alienates swing voters. Rahul would serve his party-and India-better by mastering the basics of how to speak, when to speak, what to speak. Ditch sensationalism for substance and facts over fantasies. Only then might he evolve from punchline to contender. Modi’s era demands opposition gravitas, not juvenile jabs. Rahul’s saga belies Congress’s revival claims, exposing dynasty’s decay and the constant and perennial denial. Until he sheds entitlement, Rahul will remain democracy’s spoiled heir-commanding headlines, but ceding ground. India deserves better from both sides- fearless critique without fearmongering, accountability sans authoritarianism. Rahul should realize that in this arena, maturity isn’t inherited; it’s earned and voters don’t appreciate hit-and-run politics.