Growing pains

The main opposition party in parliament, the Congress did not live up to expectations while attacking the government possibly due to an inability to get its act together. Gaurav Gogoi opened the Opposition’s remarks on Operation Sindoor on Monday, by demanding answers on the Pahalgam terror attack and questioning how terrorists infiltrated Baisaran valley and why they remained at large even 100 days later. He rebuked Prime Minister Modi for “attempting to take all the credit for Operation Sindoor” while sidestepping responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack and its fallout. Analysts flagged Gogoi’s data-driven, fact-packed style-citing jet-loss figures, ceasefire terms, and intelligence failures as key issues. Many commentators labeled Gogoi as the opposition’s “star speaker,” with his precise attacks dominating news coverage and social-media discussions. Taken together, these patterns overshadowed Gandhi’s philosophical outbursts and singularly taking on the prime minister confirming that he failed to translate his speech into the focused, results-oriented leadership performance his party desperately needs. Rahul Gandhi’s performance in Parliament has frequently drawn critique for its uneven pacing and reliance on philosophical flourishes over concrete policy points. While he likes to identify himself as a politician who is a “seeker of truth,” than a politician in pursuit of power, communication experts note that Rahul’s speeches often invite more controversy and bury the objective. By contrast, MPs such as Gaurav Gogoi, Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari and Anand Sharma have built reputations for sharper, data-driven interventions. Tharoor combines diplomatic experience with polished rhetoric, and Tewari is known for crisp, confident questioning of the government’s national security record. It may be more strategic for Rahul to yield the spotlight to colleagues like Gaurav Gogoi, Shashi Tharoor, Anandh Sharma or Manish Tewari, whose tighter, more forceful oratory consistently drives home policy critiques with greater impact. Rather than projecting himself a “seeker of truth,” Rahul Gandhi should recognize that winning political debates requires not just ideals but the rhetorical precision and command of facts these MPs routinely demonstrate. This disparity in speaking styles between Rahul and his party colleagues not only affects floor debates but also shapes public perception of leadership effectiveness. If the Congress’s parliamentary battles hinge on persuasive, lucid argumentation, it may be time for Gandhi to step back and let these more seasoned orators take the helm. Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari -each with solid parliamentary credentials-were kept off the Congress speaking roster during the Operation Sindoor debate, highlighting Gandhi’s uneasy relations with these potential floor leaders. Rahul Gandhi’s leadership has been propped up by an echo chamber of loyalists whose sycophantic acclaim convinces him he cannot be overlooked. That may work within his family’s Congress stronghold, but it leaves him ill-equipped to mount a credible challenge to Narendra Modi. Before aiming for the prime ministerial prize, Rahul needs to break free from this cocoon of flattery and subject himself to the rigorous scrutiny that genuine contenders endure and earn recognition as contender. The Congress cannot afford to remain sidelined while Rahul works through his learning curve. Critics inside and outside the party have already branded him “immature,” and despite some growth as Leader of the Opposition, his fits-and-starts style still pales next to the polished attacks of stalwarts like Shashi Tharoor and Gaurav Gogoi. If the party truly aims to counter Modi’s disciplined machine, it must elevate leaders who combine rhetorical precision with strategic clarity rather than banking on Gandhi’s eventual political awakening.