By Deepshikha Agarwal
Is Pappu a.k.a. Rahul Gandhi, really going the AAP way? This is one question that most news channels and perhaps a lot of us are asking these days. But the question should be, will Pappu going the AAP way help him or his party in any way? Now, what AAP is doing is much appreciated but we still have to wait and see if all of this is temporary enthusiasm to change the system or will it sustain and bring about the change that has been promised.
Rahul Gandhi’s sudden yet flawed awakening is nothing but sad. This can be seen from his recent visit to Muzzafarnagar, interaction with the youth in Bangalore, promise to decide on the party’s candidates for Lok Sabha polls under a “new process reflecting the voice of people”, and more recently, posters that project him as the ‘anti-corruption hero’ for his party’s intention to pass three laws and nine bills in the next session of Parliament. We have also heard how actively involved he was in the passing of the food security bill and the lokpal bill. Although beneficial for the country, this just proves the point that political parties start pretending to care about the nation only once they need the nation to vote for them.
He couldn’t do much to stop the Muzaffarnagar riots from happening , the center failed to take actions regarding the riot hit victims and suddenly in December (after almost 3 months) Pappu visited the riot hit area with “sanjeevani booti” to heal their wounds. No wonder he was greeted with black flags !! Oh and do you know his “wise” reaction to the world of pain? “UP government should do more”. Wohoo Pappu !! Sheer genius, my brain screamed !
The Congress Government lost terribly in the Assembly Elections in four states including Delhi and Pappu’s remark still remained “we need to do more”. And guess what? Doing more has somehow involved doing what AAP is doing !! *sigh* In a meeting for the selection of the candidates for the lok sabha election Mr. Gandhi also underlined the importance of giving weightage to the AAM AADMI in decision-making. “The AAP involved a lot of non-traditional people and we will learn from that…and will better it in a way you cannot imagine,” is what Mr. Gandhi had to say after the results of the assembly elections were declared.
(Somehow the entire Congress party seems to be fascinated by AAP. Don’t we all see the protests in Maharashtra already?)
And latest, Pappu visits Bangalore to meet young students and entrepreneurs and get their feedback on his party’s manifesto for the national elections, due by May. Déjà vu? Well, pretty much. We have seen AAP do the same to decide whether or not they should form the Government in Delhi. Congress now seems to acknowledge that it’s a people’s Government and our views matter as much.
However, it is hard to say whether Rahul Gandhi is genuine in his efforts or he is simply thinking that going the AAP way is the right way to win the national elections !! But if it’s the latter, will it actually help his party win the elections in any way? I think it would be a disaster to have someone who makes such blunders and senseless remarks in his speeches as our Prime Minister.
“It (Congress) is a funny party. It is the largest political organization in the world but perhaps does not have a single rule or regulation. We create new rules every two minutes and then dump them. Nobody knows the rules in the party” (Soon after being appointed party’s vice-president)
”People call us an elephant.. We are not an elephant.. we are a beehive.. it’s funny but think about it. Which is more powerful? an elephant or a beehive?” (While addressing CII annual general meeting) .. I was like “huh?” These are a few examples .
I would rather still prefer Manmohanji. Better mute than stupid, right?
Anyhow. It still remains to be seen who wins the race. Think right. Vote right !!
