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Walk the Talk

The Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi seems like a last ditch attempt by the Congress to stay relevent. It is not BJP any more that is out to eliminate the presence of Congress, but even other opposition parties like TRS and TMC. The inaction of the Congree leadership in the last three years, starting from not having a full-fledged president to a concerted strategy to take on the BJP in states that went to poll since the defeat in 2019 is eroding the credibility of the grand old party and making it irrelevant. Both BJP and strong regional oppoisition parties are taking advantage of the situation and leveraging for the national stage. Even Nitish Kumar's latest alignment with RJD can be seen as another aspirant for the opposition space at the national level. 

Rahul Gandhi has good intentions. He has woken up late but has hit upon a classic means of reviving the fortunes of the Congress. By walking in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi, Rahul has not only usurped the padayatra as a means of protest but is making an effort to project himself in the shadow of former leader of the Congress. There is nothing wrong in the means used but one is skeptical about the ends. Why now? Is it to distract media attention from the exodus from Congress, the questions about leadership and role of the Gandhi's in the party? Will this strategy work? And even if it works, revival of the Congress is doubtful.

The Yatra may bring a lot of goodwill for the party and Rahul Gandhi in particular. It will strengthen the chance of the young scion to be attoined as the party president. Beyond this, the inability of the the Congress to revamp the party from top-down will mean limited if any gains in the coming elections. The Congress with Rahul Gandhi at the helm is bad in terms of electoral success but no Gandhi at the top will mean the end of party as we know it. Maybe, Congress in its present form must die for a new Congress- one that is not just representative of the people of India but responsive to the wishes of the people- to emerge out of its ashes. October 17 will be a day of reckoning for the Congress and we will know the answer. 

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