In Odia, there is a proverb "Deula Bhitare
Kiyere, Mun Kadali Khaini'. (To a question who's inside the temple, answer
comes that I didn't eat the bananas, in English 'Guilty conscience pricks
mind'). Congress's answer to Rahul's latest tour appears identical.
Although Rahul Gandhi is unchallenged top leader
of the Congress party due to his dynastical clout, yet none in the party has
any idea when Rahul Gandhi would take a foreign tour, to which country and when
will he return.
Wise people always say, if something is not in
your control better to keep silent. The Congress perhaps forgot this wisdom
rule and now fumbling very badly defending something that is indefensible.
On 22ndSeptember, as usual Rahul Gandhi left
India. Some media reports said that Rahul Gandhi is in US to meet his ailing
granny. When such personal visits happen not only the common people but the
political opponents also do not raise any issue over it.
Bihar Assembly elections are only few days away
and so far only one rally of Rahul Gandhi has happened to which both the allies
Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav gave a miss. The buzz word in political arena is
that JD (U) and RJD are not in favour of campaigning by Rahul Gandhi as they
might be seeing Gandhi scion's participation as damaging to Mahagathbandhan's
prospects. Do not forgetIndiaToday
TV's satirical presentation 'So Sorry' over this logic.
Someone's absence from active politics for
personal reasons is no doubt defendable. But the problem with the Congress is
that they never know when Rahul Gandhi will return. Thus the Congress
apprehended that sooner or later BJP may create an issue out of Rahul Gandhi's
absence fromBiharelections
campaigning. Another worry for the Congress is that Narendra Modi is on
official tour of the US making many Indian journalists too to camp in America.
Thus it's a great opportunity for Indian media
to have both Modi and Rahul on American soil although later is there for
personal reasons. Thus extra curious Indian journalists may start searching for
Rahul Gandhi in America to get some news bites on Narendra Modi's visit, his
speeches or anything related to him to create some sensation.
Thus the Congress was desperate to find an
excuse regarding Rahul Gandhi's sudden tour. The Congress spokesperson Randeep
Surjewala officially said that Rahul Gandhi was in America to attend a
conference 'Weekened with Charlie Rose' at Aspen Colorado in America.
Even if you want to tell a lie, tell it in such
a way so that it appears to be true and there is no possibility of cross check.
If the Congress would have given a name of any Chinese city, none is there to
cross check it. But, here the Congress party took the name of a US city a city.
In this era of information technology and aggressive presence of social media,
such lies can't be defended. Social media immediately proved that such weekend
conference at Aspen had already been conducted in July and Rahul Gandhi was not
an invitee. Further, Rahul Gandhi is leader of the main opposition party in
India. If he had to attend an international event, the programs would have been
declared well in advance. It can't be done suddenly overnight!
BJP didn't miss the opportunity. It claimed that
Mahagathbandhan inBiharimposed
a forced leave on Rahul Gandhi. This BJP tactic has really put the
Mahagathbandhan in a tight position and is definitely causing embarrassment to
the anti-NDA alliance.
Thus the Congress needs to be cautious when they
are dealing with Rahul Gandhi's sabbaticals. You may claim that Rahul Gandhi is
a matured leader and better alternative to Narendra Modi, but the public very
well understand his potential and his regular habit of going on leaves.
The Congress is trying to divert attention from
Rahul's Us visit by questioning Narendra Modi's foreign tours. I think the
Congress should learn some lesson. Narendra Modi is not on sabbatical. He is on
national duty, which was known to everyone well in advance.
There are some news that Sam Pitroda (friend of
late former PM Rajiv Gandhi) is trying to organize a last minute conference at
Aspen to substantiate the Congress' claim. I think that would be very bad idea
and would be more damaging to the Congress, which needs to maintain silence
now.
Now Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are also
abroad for personal reasons. (Some reports say they are out for Sonia Gandhi's
health check up). None is questioning this tour. But at this point of time if
somebody from the Congress starts claiming that Sonia Gandhi is also there to
attend some conference, then serious scrutiny will start.
The Congress must realize that right now it is
not passing through a good phase. To revive old glory it has to be wise and
mature. Action of defending something indefensible out of sycophancy only
increases the damage. Sooner the Congress learns this lesson; the better it
would be for the party.
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