Rahul Gandhi 2.0 has BJP on the defensive, but he's got a lot to do

God knows what Rahul Gandhi did in those 56 days. But whatever he did has done him a world of good. He is enjoying politics more as true politicians do. He is more relaxed in his communication with people now, more comfortable in sound-byte attacks on the BJP and less diffident about the many failures of the UPA government. Conspicuously absent in his new avatar is the visibly fake aggression of the earlier days – remember him rolling up the sleeves and getting loud, and incoherent, to make a point? Rahul 2.0 is a clear improvement on Rahul 1.0. His one-hour “paathshala on economy” remark in Delhi after the Narendra Modi-Manmohan Singh meet with a mocking note in place, the stinging attack on the RSS and his persistent attack on the land bill of the NDA government across the country, reveal the change. That he has been consistent in his approach over the last two months has warmed the cockles of the hearts of Congressmen. They would like him to do better, be more mean and pugnacious but for now they seem satisfied. He has transitioned from being a member of the Baba log clan to a politician at least. [caption id=“attachment_2268848” align=“alignleft” width=“380” class=" “]  Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. PTI[/caption] They are relieved that Rahul no more behaves like a sheltered kid throwing tantrums at not being given what he wants. Also, they are happy that he has stopped being the backroom boy and had decided to lead from the front. The BJP, of course, is worried. It didn’t expect the turnaround so soon. In its first year in power, its government has exposed several chinks and a weak and divided opposition is what it relied on for respite. Rahul in his updated version is denying them that. The discomfiture of BJP leaders shows in their disproportionately sharp reaction to all his moves, including his nearly two-month long vacation and his tendency to lose interest in issues he takes up. He has managed to get under the BJP’s skin. He threatens to become for the saffron party what Narendra Modi was for the Congress before the elections. The more he is subjected to political and personal attack, the bigger he is likely to grow in public perception. His formal anointment as party president may see his emergence as the pan-India alternative to Modi. So far so good. It helps that his party is in the opposition, not in power; it allows him more freedom to attack. Also, one year has elapsed since the new government took over. It restricts the scope for the latter to keep harping on legacy issues – the BJP cannot keep reminding the same audience about the same scams under the UPA over and over. By the completion of its second year the Congress’ attack is likely to get sharper since the government will have to fend itself solely on the basis of its performance. Inside Congress, the old guard is neutralized. There are no sniper attacks from within. But is that enough? The new Rahul Gandhi has settled the leadership question for the Congress. But he is still no match for Modi, both in personal appeal and in clarity of thinking, in a personality-driven polity. Perhaps this will change over time but the big question around him still hangs heavy: does he have enough in him to make the Congress a 272-plus party? Taking advantage of the government’s weaknesses is fine but it can only deliver short-term results; is he doing enough to revive the party in states? It is evident from his remarks in the party forums that he acknowledges the dual challenge for the party – reconnecting with lost constituencies and taking on the organizational might of the Sangh Parivar on the ground. This requires robust activity at the level of organization from the lowest level. It is unclear though how he plans to go about it. Rahul reloaded is a good sign for the party but it still has a long way to go. Perhaps one more vacation would help.