In the 70-year history of Indian politics, the Congress party has been significantly influenced by towering leaders like Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi. Even today, their names are frequently mentioned in the criticisms raised by the ruling parties. Though these leaders are no longer alive, their political impact and legacy continue to leave the ruling parties uneasy, evidenced by the way their names still reverberate in political discourse. It’s not an exaggeration to say that their influence is still palpable in political and government circles.These leaders, however, did not make any extraordinary efforts to reach the pinnacle of power; they were simply recognized by the people, much like royalty. Their actions are still remembered by the public. Rahul Gandhi, on the other hand, has neither been the leader of a political party nor held the highest office in the government, yet he remains a constant target of the ruling party’s criticism. Since 2014, when the ruling party began branding him as “Pappu” to discredit him, Rahul has continued to be a key figure in their strategy. This enduring focus on Rahul only suggests that he is, in many ways, a more formidable leader than Nehru, Indira, or Rajiv ever were.Rahul, much like his predecessors, was initially identified as a scion of a royal family. He probably started his political journey with a sense of entitlement as a “Prince.” Had his mother, Sonia Gandhi, been a native-born Indian and a Hindu, Rahul’s political journey might have been much smoother, possibly culminating in a coronation of sorts. But this is where the story takes a turn. The Congress party, once influenced by leaders like Narasimha Rao and Pranab Mukherjee, who were sympathetic to RSS ideologies, shifted towards a left-leaning political stance under Rahul. This shift was primarily in response to the religious politics of the RSS, represented in the political sphere by the BJP.The BJP’s rise to power with a decisive majority introduced Rahul to a kind of politics that neither Nehru, Indira, nor Rajiv had ever encountered. At first, Rahul navigated this political landscape with a traditional approach, much like the earlier Congress leaders who distanced themselves from leftist ideologies. However, as the BJP’s grip on power tightened, driven by religious and caste-based politics, Rahul started to understand the darker, more divisive face of this kind of governance.As he began to grasp the enormity of the challenges he faced, Rahul’s political journey took an unexpected turn. He began to empathize with the struggles of ordinary people affected by religious and caste divisions. What started as a typical political career for a royal heir, evolved into a deep understanding of the people’s struggles. Unlike the earlier Congress leadership, which was content with its upper-class status and often followed a “take it easy” approach to politics, Rahul has immersed himself in grassroots politics, engaging directly with the people and their everyday struggles. This marks a significant departure from how any national leader has operated in Indian politics so far.In fact, one could argue that even Mahatma Gandhi couldn’t completely break free from the influence of Hindutva politics. However, Rahul seems to have rejected religious and caste-based politics entirely, embarking on a progressive political path. This indicates that the future of Indian federal politics will inevitably undergo a massive transformation.—
Dravida Jeeva
