Why Rahul Charmed Voters
by Swapan Dasgupta
In December 1984, Rajiv Gandhi secured by far the most categorical endorsement from the Indian voter. The landslide victory was described by many as the ‘sympathy wave’ that arose from Indira Gandhi’s assassination. However, chroniclers also noted that the grief over Indira’s death was accompanied by an expectation of change. Rajiv, it was clear even during the campaign, was different from the run-of-the-mill khadi-wearing Congress leader. His idiom was markedly different, and even anti-political in many respects. As Arun Singh, his close associate with whom he fell out subsequently, put it evocatively, Rajiv symbolised the coming of age of the “Beatles generation”.
The more things change, the more they remain the same. Some 25 years after Rajiv’s famous victory, it is tempting to see parallels with the just concluded Lok Sabha poll. True, the mandate for the Congress is nowhere as categorical and the party’s candidate for the top job is far removed from all manifestations of youthfulness. Yet, it is undeniable that the crucial swing votes which enabled the Congress to win more than 200 seats on its own came from two sections that are in the frontline of change and modernity: The middle classes and the youth. The inference is that, as in 1984, the Congress received an endorsement both for the present and for the future.
Disaggregated surveys will reveal the magnitude of ‘modern’ India’s support for Congress but the instant conclusion is that Rahul Gandhi helped tilt the balance in favour of the incumbent. His energy and willingness to take risks complemented the note of reassurance provided by Manmohan Singh. These considerations will weigh heavily on the Congress when it charts its future course.
To reduce the appeal of Rajiv in his prime and Rahul in this election to merely a function of age would be unduly simplistic. The Congress didn’t field that many ‘young’ candidates this election. Most of its candidates were tried and tested political functionaries-in fact often the very ones who received a drubbing in the 1990s. In Delhi, where the party registered its most categorical victory, only two of its seven candidates corresponded to the so-called new look and both had tasted their first parliamentary victory in 2004. In Uttar Pradesh, where the party recorded a spectacular advance, its victorious candidates were mostly old political hands. There were about five exceptions.
This is not to suggest that the impact of Rahul in this election has been exaggerated. Rahul, it would seem, bolstered one of the main attributes of the Prime Minister: He enhanced the decency quotient of the Congress.
The association of decency with the Congress may seem quite galling for a generation that still remembers the Emergency, the high-handedness of Sanjay Gandhi, the brazen cover-up that was attempted during the Bofors controversy and the bribery of MPs that occurred during Narasimha Rao’s regime. To this may be added the wheeling-dealing that took place during the trust vote last July.
Why were these misdeeds of the Congress overlooked in the 2009 poll? One of the obvious answers is the moral equivalence drawn between the Congress and BJP. The BJP, which was once noted for its disciplined dedication, was perceived to be as much a problem as the old guard of the Congress. The Congress’ integrity quotient didn’t rise; the BJP’s fell dramatically in the past decade.
If there was a dismal but level playing field between the Congress and the BJP on the integrity front, the Congress stole a march over its rival on the decency front. Manmohan came across as upright but politically somewhat innocent, and Rahul’s appeal was his energy and earnestness. This doesn’t imply that LK Advani was viewed as being disreputable. Advani commanded respect but it was a veneration that was befitting the family patriarch. The BJP’s “majboot neta” campaign would have been spot on if voters saw the election as a presidential contest involving Manmohan and Advani. Unfortunately for the BJP, the people not only voted for their today but also their tomorrow. On the latter count, the BJP didn’t have a message. The idea of a Resurgent India which the BJP successfully sold in the 1990s was lost in transmission this century.
This disconnect owes quite substantially to the party’s low decency quotient. The fact is that there is something in the overall ethos of the BJP which argues against a new common sense that has developed in India. The BJP has not fought any election on the basis of assertive Hindu nationalism since 1996. Its best victories were won on the strength of bread-and-butter issues of stability, development and anti-incumbency. Gujarat 2002 was the only exception. Despite this, the party has come to be associated with menacing communalism of the Ram Sena and Kandhamal varieties and tasteless hate speeches. Against this, Rahul’s innocent earnestness and desire to “do good to people” has been preferred. The BJP has been seen to be caricatured politicians cast in the 1990s mould; Rahul and Manmohan are viewed as non-politicians and, therefore, more decent.
But the Congress isn’t the only beneficiary of being more responsive to the new common sense. In Orissa, Naveen Patnaik has redefined the calculus of electoral politics on the strength of his personality. After a decade in power, Patnaik’s command over the vernacular remains halting and his Government’s achievements are modest compared to, say, Gujarat. But Patnaik exudes sincerity, epitomises personal integrity and, despite his ruthless streak, doesn’t correspond to people’s mental image of the ugly politician. He personifies the blend of sincerity, uprightness and humility that voters have found irresistible.
These are also the qualities the people upheld in 1984 and have reaffirmed once again in 2009. With Rajiv, the euphoria proved woefully short-lived and triggered the Mandir-Mandal backlash. If the Manmohan-Rahul experiment falters, the reactions could well be equally spirited.
(This article was first published in The Pioneer on May 24, 2009.)
Comments
19 Responses to “Why Rahul Charmed Voters”
As Yashwant Sinha put it “Victory has many fathers”. So we can give many reasons, each of which is genuine, for a victory.
But one nice thing Swapan da mentioned is the politics of disciplne and development for which BJP was popular in the 90’s. I hope the BJP is resurgent again, provide credible center right alternatives for India’s development in the areas of economy, healthcare, foreign relations and even environment protection.
The BJP has lost moral ground in a hurry during the last few years (though it is much better than INC even now), I hope that is claimed back at the earliest and the aggression - not of speech but of actions returns back which was a characteristic of the 90’s.
Most of the things make sense a-posteriori
I agree to Swapan Da.Education and dignity are rising among most of the voters and therefore “humility” and “non arrogance” will be rewarded.
BJP has to get the alignment right. It should re-instill the sense of “purity of purpose and honesty” which was its USP till late 90’s.
Plz bring Govindacharya back into mainstream BJP politics.
Plz dont treat non-shakha BJP members as secondary.
Most of the youth/urban voters never go to the shakhas and hence feel a “red tape” if they want to associate with the BJP.
This is not the case with Congress.Rahul Gandhi openly calls for youth joining politics to change the country,there is no such loud and clear call from the multi-polar BJP leadership.
BJP should go on a transparent world wide talent hunt exercise to revive the organization.
It is not Rahul who charmed voters but the cheerleaders who fooled voters.As long as leaders like sonia and Rahul are protected and projected by the Media and people continue to believe them, something is terribly wrong.If Swapan can get carriead away by the hype so easily, what about commen people?.After the Victory Rahul is being projected as SUPERMAN.We got a superman we deserve and along with MMS I expect him to destroy Terrorrism in 15 days.
i agree fully with mr.b.r.chetty.what is the political experience with these gandhis in the congress ? what service they have done to the nation except bringing corruption,nepotism and making this great nation vulnerable to terrorists ? how easily people have forgotten and pardoned them ? no doubt bjp lacked cohesion and unity.but they were cruelly brought down by vicious media mr.swapan da.and u people started hero worshiping for obvious reasons without bringing the truth to the public.i accuse u.u have awfully failed in ur duty.
Rahul Gandhi was present in previous general election also and in many assembly elections, so why did not he Charmed Voters then.
Yes RG is crowd puller as poor/illiterate votes wants to see him. But I think this “Charming” idea have been started by Media. Why don’t media project that Amethi and Rai Bareli is one of the most underdeveloped constituencies in India. This is under Gandhi family’s fiefdom from last 30 years.
Why media gives kid-glove treatment to Gandhis. No hard question to SG/RG.
RG has never held a proper job, got 60% in class 10th CBSC, at age of 40 years has not done anything except being Gandhi, why media does not put these questions.
How come media is telling him visionary, what visionary thing has he done. There are crores of people better than him. Media has to expose the truth rather than making him Yuv-Raj
These Gandhis are fooling people for last 50 years and keep fooling more.
BJP is only viable and alternative solution to Congress, so get up, shake-up and start from day one who to defeat congress. Assembly election of MH are coming soon. And start preparing of facing this pseudo-leader/ pseudo -visionary in next general election.
What I will do, I will spread the truth about this Gandhis as much as possible.
Regards,
S.Chatterjee
There is no Rahul Charm factor. It is media’s pro-congress and pro-dyanstic mindset that won the elections for Rahul and Congress. Atleast 30% of India is well educated and developed to see who is best for them and elect them. However, the Media is playing a dangerous game of showing partiality to congress when they should have played a neutral game.
At least the 6 BJP Governments should declare that they are thinking of banning NDTV/CNN-IBN/Star News. Offcourse there will be lot of Noise and Congress jumping to protect the Media but this will come to people’s mind at least once that why are 6 Governments banning it at once. There must be some reason.
I am confident if it was Samajwadi Party or BSP which were target of such virulent campaign of Media they would have fixed it long back.
I agree with the Views presented here that NDTV and CNN-IBN are able to harm so much because they Fake as neutral and then paint BJP as Devil. BJP and its Government should take strong action against them. At least Urban Youth will ask why is BJP acting against them. There can’t be smoke without fire.
There is a great master trick of Congressis and they have fooled public by this and even Media has learned it quite well. Trick is that you curse Congress a lot but say that others
are equally bad. This is a trick to produce the TINA(There is no other alternative) factor. These kind of people including Media will talk of some shortcommings of Congress and then will paint the Opposition as Real Devil. It is same thing as they did during Bombay Attack of 26/11. Make people cynical of all politicians and the ultimate loosers will be Left and BJP because they stand for something however wrong or right it is. Since Congress stands for nothing ,people can’t hate it strongly and hence it becomes
the default choice.
If the so called educated Middle class who have seen that BJP has a track record of good Governance and can turn around sick states like Bihar and Orissa and who have seen the bad rule of UPA loaded with inflation and terrorism can be fooled by a smart Media trick like Varun Gandhi and Ram Sene one then they are even worst than the illiterates who sell their votes for Alcohol and money. God save this country then. A small incident like Varun’s speech which is hyped much by Media can force you to defeat BJP then BJP is better off in opposition.
This love for humble people is out of slave mentality of Hindus. Leaders are not Diplomats,why do we have Prime Minister then.The same job could be done by some Bureaucrat. Why shouldn’t be Manmohan Singh attacked when he is silently enjoying all fruits of Powers and letting people die in blasts.
Slave mentality of Hindus will take some time to go away. One simple example is that Narendra Modi will loose Gujrat elections 2012 as Congress will promise free power and all the farmers will fall for it.
Same way too much Pseudo Secualarism is nothing but [b]“Glorified Cowardice”[/b]. This cowardice is inherent in Hindus.
This is a ugly thing to say but lets accept this as a fact. BJP should device strategies to budget this slave mentality,rather than asking people to leave it.
Indian public has really funny slave mentality. There were serial Blasts happening. Narendra Modi ji got all of them Caught after Ahemdabad Blast in 2008. Congress was sleeping on it.
Now the weekends have became peaceful and without blasts, but people are more angry and cynical about Modi and BJP rather than Congress. SO this proves the real slave mentality of people which I believe Congress handles very well. BJP has to learn from Congress.
Many guys who would have been carried away by the Media created image of Rahul Gandhi and the global loyality towards Gandhi family are now advising BJP to become like Congress and start following all its traits. Guys its fine you voted for congress but don’t advise BJP to become like Congress. Jansangh and BJP have lost almost all elections since 1952 and have not swayed away from their principles. When Public has to select us they will select for what we are. We messed up handling Media,one mistake which we did and we need to correct that.Rest we do not have to get carried away so much by this loss. BJP has to be prepared to loose many elections in future but stick to its principles otherwise Congress is always there and anyhow Indian public seems to be addicted to it.
BJP’s main task is to get Hindus out of the rot and decay which is ailing them since last 1000 years and let India and the Hindu Civilization realize its potential as a whole. Some amount of success has been achieved by BJP and its Governments but a lot needs to be done.
Till Hindus are there in india, BJP is there and BJP is the only party for all Hindus including Dalits. It doesn’t do only lip service or give bread crumbs. It makes Mayawatis as Chief Minister.BJP is the best friend of minorities and hope they will realize some day.
Look no further –http://dailypioneer.com/179758/Is-fair-always-lovely.html — go thru this article by visionary BJP MP Mr. Mitra, according to him ” its the complexion stupid”!!
I mean come on, is it just me who think people in the BJP think tank have gone nuts that they are resorting such moronic ridiculous explainantions?
Wonder a guy who came up with contradictory comments on so many issues can charm any truly educated person. Rahul Gandhi has a history of making contradictory comments about various issues, whether it be Swiss Bank money, or the governance of Nitish Kumar in Bihar or it be about Chandra Babu Naidu in A.P. He was arrested in Boston Airport with a friend who is carrying drugs . People of India, god knows why, and the media is talking about Charming factor of Rahul. This is really rediculous and indicates the slave mentality of majority of the media and the India rather than showing a progressive mentality.
Media the Culprit
If BJP does something good, it is blacked out( all Good works BJP Govts)
If somebody does wrong, blame it on BJP(pub attacks)
If Congress does wrong,it is blacked out(horse trading at trust vote) or politicians in toto are blamed(Bombay attackes)
If Congress does good, Gandhi Family is the Father(compare UP assembly elections against Elections 2009 )
BJP failed in only one area–media Management!
Guys, we were supposed to be the Master in it. Arent we?
Congress is notorious for using money to coming back to power. Aren’t they proven guilty in the
parliament for using money to trade the MPs, aren’t they guilty in using money to bribe the media to swing the voter minds to congress. Congress plays are dirty tricks out in the book to win power. They use the secular trick again and again and BJP leaders have no answer for this dirty trick. Sachin Pilot, Scindia, Jayanti Natarajan, Abhishek Singh Manu, Kapil Sibal all used this secular trick in the media and BJP leaders did nothing to counter attack these congress leaders. BJP needs to come up with a strategy to counter congress leaders whenever they use the secular trick.
it was not rahul in particular congress had played out a very narcissistic trick . it marketed “youth” as a covert ploy of extending the dynastism beyond any limits even directorships around the world have seen. and BJP didn’t have much voice to fight this. you know why.
and another thing: rahul has indeed worked very hard indeed for “himself” ,for ensuring his smooth “rajyavhishekh”. his work didn’t start and stop with elections .and hard work for whatever purpose ,you know pays well. i must concede his effort was/is not matched by BJP.
sorry for the error :
read directorships as dictatorships