It is true that Rahul is raising eternal issues like unemployment, poverty, and inflation, but converting them into electoral issues is a difficult task. If he could do that, it would be a big deal. In Indian politics, the issues related to the life of the people never turn into election-winning issues. It happened only once in 1971 that the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi won the Lok Sabha elections with a huge majority by giving the captivating slogan of ‘Garibi Hatao’, but there were many other reasons behind this.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has embarked on a journey from Kanyakumari to Kashmir with the aim of connecting India and exploring the soul of the country. Although it was also started by the BJP with the alleged expensive T-shirt of Rahul, in retaliation, the Congress attacked Nikkar, who wore the uniform of the BJP’s ‘mother organization’ Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Although the RSS itself has now given up wearing it, it seems that its six-year-old image still remains in the psyche of Congress.
The viral picture of burning khaki shorts from the official Twitter handle of Congress was going to instigate the Sangh and the BJP, and the same thing happened. Congress commented that the Sangh has been working to burn the country. The typical answer to this came that if even the forefathers of Congressmen could not stop the Sangh, what would they stop? In retaliation, BJP asked the Congress – does it want violence in the country?
In Indian politics, if it comes to power, every party also finds justification for violence. Therefore, to say that such a party wants to climb the ladder of power on the edge of violence would be half-true, but the real issue here is not Rahul Gandhi’s expensive T-shirt or RSS’s quirks. If this is brought into focus, then its message will be that the journey is deviating from its original purpose.
There is no doubt that before the Lok Sabha elections of the year 2024, the Congress which was faltering in the country should be revived, to restore the power of Rahul Gandhi in the party and if possible, project Rahul’s face against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the next Lok Sabha elections. This is the political objective of this four-month journey. There is also sentiment in it and it also has to bend the fate line of the party.
In this sense, how successful this yatra is in achieving its goal, depends on the public support for the yatra and the attitude of Rahul himself. It is contradictory in itself that on one hand they are even traveling on foot and on the other they are hesitant to open the cards of what they have to do or what they are going to do in the future. It may be part of his strategy or another dilemma of his unstable mind, but unless he clearly expresses his intentions in this ambitious journey, the public of the country may take this journey very seriously.
The era of expressing emotion and determination in sign language is gone. Now even a lie is spoken so loudly that its sound waves begin to feel like truth. The volume of this DJ is set in such a way that people start dancing in a daze even on lies or half-truths. In such a situation, Rahul will have to openly present his India visit and his own political road map in front of the public.
Today the country is being divided, it is true, but the country is falling apart, it is a half-truth. Some people believe that the mental division of the country will be the basis of its geographical division, but we also have to keep in mind that this is not 1947, when the country was under foreign power and the future of the slave country was in his hands. Therefore, no political party or the entire society of independent India will accept the partition of the country even in dreams.
Now there is a question of suppressing the voices of resistance in the country, so there is some truth in this, but it is also not right to say that this has never happened before. Only his approach has changed.
Now the question is, will the country really be able to connect with Rahul Gandhi’s visit?
If we look at the map of his journey, out of the 12 states and two union territories through which it is going to pass, five states are BJP ruled and one union territory and one full state is ruled by the Aam Aadmi Party. The only state ruled by Congress is Rajasthan, through which this yatra will pass. Accordingly, this journey will connect South to North. But there is no provision in it to connect west to east (maybe further).
Of course, long journeys have been helpful to everyone in understanding India. From politicians to saints, and from artists to yayavar. Mahatma Gandhi traveled all over India before leading the freedom movement. Swami Vivekananda did it. Chandrashekhar and Baba Amte have also done so in recent years. In this sense, Rahul Gandhi should have left long ago on such a journey.
After losing the last Lok Sabha elections, it was a great opportunity for him to connect with the people and get an interview with the soul of the country. Then questions about his political motives would also arise less. But at that time he has completed his duty only by resigning from the post, while victory and defeat go on in the political battle, but like Arjun, you have to keep fighting in Kurukshetra.
The fighting spirit of the commander also inspires the soldiers, but even then Rahul Gandhi was not clear about what and how he had to do, and still he is not giving any clear indication that this journey will ultimately end his personal image. The determination is like a torch for Congress to shine or to wander in the web of directionlessness and issues.
Rahul Gandhi’s journey of three and a half thousand kilometers in 12 states and two union territories has currently passed through the southern states, of which the Congress is in a better position in Kerala itself. It seems that people are joining this yatra because as of today no leader is talking about uniting the country. But the real impact of this visit will be seen in those Hindi-speaking states, where Congress is still the second major political force.
On the other hand, BJP is also watching this journey very closely and understanding whether Rahul can change the political current of the country or not. Because apart from him, the rest of the opposition is talking about uniting the parties instead of the country. However, the whole opposition’s sole is a far cry, which is trying to cook on the paper fire of credibility. Assembly elections are to be held in some states before the next Lok Sabha elections. The outcome of these elections will also affect the political spirits of the ruling party and the opposition.
Unfortunately, it is a fact that the pain the people are suffering translates very little into votes. The reason for this is probably that the majority of the Indian voter while casting their vote, takes into account or swayed many other factors and urges as well. BJP and RSS know this very well. Therefore, what will be the core issue of the next Lok Sabha elections and who will decide it, it is equally important.
Rahul and Congress do not see any such game-changer issue. Fortunately, if such an issue comes to hand, then it is another matter. A large section of the country’s majority is supportive of Modi and his style of functioning. It doesn’t seem like this situation will change any time soon.
Rahul Gandhi’s political goal of ‘connecting India’ can be fulfilled only when the majority vote breaks out of Modi’s fascination and comes to Congress. Only goodwill can act as a battery on the political path, it cannot become an engine. Rahul has a margin of age, but without establishing that he wants to lead the country with utmost integrity, sincerity, and consistency, this journey will hardly achieve its intended purpose. Congress itself does not need to deviate this journey from its goal. Whatever people want to understand, they are understanding.
