Why Rahul Gandhi's better-than-you-can-imagine promise fails to enthuse

In the inscrutable manner reserved only for the Congress high command, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi addressed a brief press conference on Sunday evening, appearing to accept defeat graciously, congratulating opponents who more than convincingly stole their thunder, but also simultaneously making some indecipherable noises. “A new paradigm,” Rahul promised, adding later that the lessons they will learn from the Aam Aadmi Party would be implemented better than the AAP. Citizen (“common men’s” to use Rahul’s term) participation in governance decisions would be introduced in a way that is manner that is so good “that you can’t even imagine”. A little consternation however mild, “deep introspection” as promised by Sonia Gandhi and willingness to learn from opponents – these can only be good things for a depleted Congress party. Still, even though it’s early days still since the Gandhi parivar’s unexpected graciousness in defeat, there is already ample reason to believe that this too will end badly for the Congress. The party’s media managers are rumoured to have been briefed to stick to the line that Sonia attempted too, that national general elections are a completely different ballgame, and that local issues that dominated these elections are likely to be very different from issues that will hold sway when the summer of 2014 comes around. Panelists at TV studios will also steadfastly reject any suggestion that this result is a referendum result on Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. [caption id=“attachment_1275339” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  AFP[/caption] Coming back to Rahul’s promises. Nobody, not even the Congress high command, can ignore the message that the four states delivered on Sunday. Before Sonia and Rahul’s press statement, similar statements came from the next generation of Congressmen. South Mumbai MP Milind Deora congratulated Arvind Kejriwal on Twitter and then added a tweet: “Results of hundred battles help one prepare well for the war ~ Sun Tzu. Good time for Congress to introspect & reward the deserving.” MP campaign chief Jyotiraditya Scindia and Rajasthan leader Sachin Pilot were gracious in defeat too, promising to learn from the party’s mistakes. But Rahul’s lofty announcement of changes in the party that are better than anything Indians can even imagine does not sound promising. Because tall promises about organisational structure have been made earlier, including promises about involving the general public in decision making. Truth be told, people dislike Rahul despite the dimpled smile and the occasional charm. His manner of speech builds no connect with those who’re listening, despite the frequent use of ‘bhaiya’ and ‘suno na’. Rahul has already promised that ticket distribution would be based on merit and not nepotism – this promise remained unfulfilled. He already aired his ideas about Congressmen connecting with voters through social media initiatives such as the now-forgotten ‘Khidkee’ – this too bombed. There was more: a new website, a plan to teach Congress candidates about the UPA’s showcase schemes, nothing worked. Weren’t the visits to Dalit homes also about hearing what Bharat has to say to the Congress? The sudden ebullience on Sunday evening just appears misplaced, yet another display of the arrogance that has brought the party down. What Kejriwal brought to electoral politics is rebellion, a questioning of the old status quo. Like his victory, Kejriwal’s politics has hinged on seeking what was considered impossible. To replicate that, there is only one thing the Congress can do – present a whole new Congress, give the the leadership status quo the big heave-ho. That is what India truly can’t even imagine. And what Rahul won’t do.