New Delhi: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi may have an edge over Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat, as evidenced by his successful social media tirade – which is now trending — against the ruling party, but his real leadership skills will be put to test in the upcoming state elections.
Addressing a mammoth gathering, Gandhi last week hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and observed that everyone in the state is involved in one or the other agitation.
“The voice of Gujarat cannot be bought with all the money in the world. There is so much harassment all around. Everyone is up against another,” Gandhi said in an indirect dig at BJP.
Gandhi also attacked Modi over the newly introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST), terming it as ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’, alluding that the regime was meant to fleece the small businesses.
“The government ignored all our suggestions on GST and introduced it with celebrations at midnight. In their GST, there is the highest 28 per cent tax and three return forms that makes the GST Gabbar Singh Tax. The new tax regime has destroyed scores of small businessmen and unless it is simplified, the country will end up suffering,” Gandhi said in a rally in Gujarat last week.
Earlier, he had tweeted, “Gujarat is priceless. It has never been bought. It can never be bought. It will never be bought.” He was apparently referring to the allegation of bribing by Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Narendra Patel.
Over the past few weeks, memes with the slogan — ‘vikas gando thayo chhe’ (development has gone crazy) — have gone viral on social media. Started by Congress and mostly shared by youngsters, it has turned into a trending social media campaign that has put BJP on the defensive.
Significantly, Congress is often criticised for promoting dynastic rule and many believe Gandhi holding the number two position in the party is only on account of his being born in the Gandhi family and not because of any real political acumen.
“Bharatiya Janata Party may keep Gujarat but not without a fight. As of now, both parties are spreading too much of vile and rancour against each other. As far as dynastic rule is concerned, dynasty is everywhere. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks around his cabinet, he could find out that majority of them have promoted their kith and kin in some or the other lucrative vocation if not in politics. Jai Shah, son of Amit Shah, is a solid example of dynastic dominance. So dynastic rule is everywhere but this election will be a litmus test for Rahul Gandhi,” says Delhi-based political analyst Ajeet Sahu.
