The Prodigal Entertainer: Mr. Rahul Gandhi

mars 31, 2015

The Prodigal Entertainer: Mr. Rahul Gandhi

555

I read recently that while Rahul Gandhi, the Congress Vice President and MP of Amethi is on a mysterious sabbatical, posters offering a reward for the "missing" politician have popped up in Amethi; even Bollywood song lyrics have been employed to lament his absence.

I am extremely amused each time I come across such anecdotes surrounding the infamous and elusive Mr. Gandhi. Who says he does not deliver? I say he delivers complete entertainment.

So why has RG become the verbal punching bag for many, including members of his own Congress party? For example, FirstPost quoted an anonymous AICC member who said, "Woh permanent hi chutti par kyon nahi chale jate hume bhi unse chutti mile (Why doesn't he go on permanent leave, we too will be relieved of him)."

Shame on us for being such fervent haters.

So what if the INC suffered its worst electoral result in history in the 2014 general elections under the leadership of Gandhi?

So what if Mr. Gandhi -- the Cambridge graduate -- made a very strong, "educated" comment about poverty being just a "state of mind" and therefore not defined by a lack of food or money?

So what if he happened to doze off during an ongoing Parliament session? It was just a nap, okay?

So what if on the last day of the Delhi elections (where another resounding loss awaited the Congress), Gandhi was spotted in a mall in New Delhi enjoying himself with friends? What's the big deal, guys?

So what if the Vice President of the Congress party and the top candidate being considered for the chief post of the party currently held by his mother has decided to make a grand disappearance just ahead of the Budget Session for months? After all he apparently needs to clear his head and reflect on the what-has-beens and what-has-to-bes? (I wonder how much head clearing can occur in fun party places like Bangkok or Goa or wherever Mr. Gandhi is supposedly attaining his Zen.)

"So, Mr. Gandhi, let's hope that on your long leave of absence ahead of the upcoming AICC polls, you really do decide to clear your head... Until then, you are just an entertainer that we like to watch and laugh at with popcorn and cola. You might as well be a comedian in a David Dhawan movie."

Here is a man who has been given one too many last chances in political history to make a difference -- to BE the difference -- for the Congress, but seems to have driven the proverbial axe into his own foot almost every time. Here is a man who has the chance yet again to take the helm of the work started and built up by his own forefathers and to carry the legacy forward and to fulfill the dreams of his mother. But most importantly, here is a man who has the chance to prove to his people, his supporters and also his many, many critics that it's not all over yet for the Congress. That he can perhaps stillsalvage the situation and prove to be the knight in shining armour and save face -- both his own and the Congress's.

Being an NRI, I was unable to vote in the Lok Sabha Elections of 2014 but if I did vote, it would certainly not have been for the Congress. And the election result itself is enough proof of where the people of India stand today as far as the Congress and the Gandhi leadership is concerned. (Let's not kid ourselves here -"Singh" was clearly never "King" as you and I are both very well aware.)

So, Mr. Gandhi, let's hope that on your long leave of absence ahead of the upcoming AICC polls, you really do decide to clear your head, rejuvenate and come back to prove a whole bunch of haters wrong, to show that there still can be a light at the end of what is seemingly a very dark tunnel for the Congress and with the resolve to fix, rebuild and earn back the confidence and trust of the people which has been replaced by cynicism, mockery and ridicule. You are "cancerous for the Congress," they say.

And please, no senseless comments or naps in meetings, okay? Very unprofessional. It's time to pull yourself together and do your job. To really put your money where your mouth is -- and not on long vacations for starters!

Because until that happens, those votes sure aren't going to come your way. If nothing changes when you come back Rahul, you and your party may as well take a permanent vacation because in the current political landscape of India, others are eating the cake at a party you may not get invited to. Ever again.

Until then, you are just an entertainer that we like to watch and laugh at with popcorn and cola. You might as well be a comedian in a David Dhawan movie.