http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Reticent-Rahul-Gandhi-comes-out-all-guns-blazing/articleshow/10748251.cms
Reticent Rahul Gandhi comes out all guns blazing
TNN | Nov 16, 2011, 03.29AM IST
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi's speech at Phulpur, with a no-holds-barred,
named attack on Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati and strong
positioning of himself as an agent of development, marks an
irreversible change in the reticent prince who Congressmen say would
be prime minister.
The speech, dismissing the formidable dalit and backward icons as
having no concern for the poor because of their lust for power,
surprised Congress leaders used to measured words from their heir
apparent. They were equally shocked at his comparison of migrant
labour with "begging".
The jury is out if Rahul's anger on the Ganga banks will rub on to UP
voters when they visit the polling booths in April-May 2012. But
leaders were unanimous that the rally had enthused workers like never
before in two decades.
Union minister of state Jitin Prasada said, "The speech spelt out the
issues clearly and set the tone for aggressive campaigning against the
misrule of Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav."
Since he took charge of Congress's campaign in UP in 2008, Rahul led
novel attempts to strengthen the party with visits to Bundelkhand and
dalit households. These marked attempts to reintroduce the party in a
caste-polarised state through the use of cross-society plank of
"pro-poor". But the common complaint remained that his tone was too
non-combative to match the shrill tone of rivals.
Possibly forced by the estimate that the party's organisational muscle
had not strengthened enough to tap into resentment against the
government, the Congress general secretary hit the tone and words loud
enough for a marginal player to be heard in the neatly polarised,
identity politics.
The new-found boldness was evident when Rahul repeated the post-Bhatta
Parsaul allegations of atrocities on women despite the criticism
earlier. As it was in his use of brutally raw words -- even if
someone's daughter is raped, the FIR would be lodged only for a bribe
-- to convey the seriousness of corruption.
It is in variance with in-house sceptics who wonder if the use of
"begging" for migrant labour would trigger adverse reaction among
voters or the attack on Mulayam slam the doors on a post-poll ally.
BJP and SP have already picked on his words to make it an issue of
insult to dalits and backwards who form the bulk of migrant labourers.
The post-rally mood in Congress is focused on the "new Rahul". He is
seen to have understood the standard pitch and tone of cowbelt
politics.
The exaggerated use of corruption plank and even-handed treatment of
SP and BSP chiefs is seen to have filled an essential strategic gap
which tripped Congress in 2007. The anti-Mulayam bonhomie between
Congress and Mayawati saw voters plump for the dominant force in BSP
and Rahul's extensive campaign came to naught.
In what appeared a lesson learnt, Rahul slammed Mulayam upfront to
quell any doubts about Congress playing footsie with SP. "It is a
strategic victory in setting clarity on the direction of the
campaign," a leader said.
Post-Phulpur, leaders said the tone was set for an aggressive campaign
in the coming four months for voters' attention. "Results apart, the
basics are right," a leader said.
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