After many years, we have seen a massive mobilisation by the Congress Party and opposition leaders in Delhi. It was a Rahul Gandhi show, which has established him as the widely accepted leader of the opposition in its fight against the BJP and the RSS. There was a time when the Congress would not even use the word "RSS", but in the last few years Rahul Gandhi's persistent campaign has widened his acceptability among various communities. What the Congress earlier lacked was the trust of the urban middle classes, but a large number of them now seem to be looking to him as the future of India.
Many people ask how Rahul Gandhi has "established" himself. Frankly, among the Nehru-Gandhis, his struggle has been the most difficult. He was part of a party that was in power from 2004 to 2013 and yet was declining. The power politics of the UPA did not really strengthen the Congress. The party's decline had begun in 1984, despite Rajiv Gandhi's massive victory, because of its tilt towards Hindutva, its softening of policy on communal politics, and its inability to take a solid stand on the OBC reservation issue.
Rahul Gandhi became the Congress's star campaigner in 2014, when the party was facing massive anti-incumbency and a hostile middle class that had turned communal. It is also a fact that the Darbaris of the Congress tried to "protect" him from speaking on major public issues. Many times this happened because of senior leaders in the party who never accepted his radical changes and caricatured him.
After the Bharat Jodo Yatra, he proved his worth. People saw that he could walk, and much faster than anyone else. His continuous conversations with different communities and classes, at their own places, created the impression of a very sensitive and honest individual who has been wronged. Today, Rahul Gandhi speaks with courage and conviction, and people listen. He has been able to connect with the young generation, which once mocked him.
Today's rally in Delhi has established Rahul Gandhi as the unanimous choice of the opposition for prime minister whenever the opportunity comes. He has learnt the art of taking alliance partners along with him. Slowly, the Congress is working to strengthen itself while bringing its alliance partners on board.
There is one big factor to keep in mind: the battle is still very big and long. As far as the narrative is concerned, Rahul Gandhi seems to be succeeding, but he still has a long way to go, as elections are scheduled for 2029. However, he is now not only "dominating" the news but also defining it. Since 2014, it was Narendra Modi who gave "homework" to the Indian middle classes and the Darbaris on prime time, but that trend is changing, and the events of the last ten days show the ruling party on the defensive.
Rahul Gandhi's biggest support is coming from young people, who seem to have understood that the BJP has nothing to offer them. The party's continuous focus on the Ram Mandir, Hindu-Muslim issues, India-Pakistan, and "national" versus "anti-national" debates has been repetitive and totally out of sync. The youth are looking for quality education, decent jobs, and a future that now lurks in uncertainty. You cannot build a nation by continuously focusing on religious issues, deciding what we should eat, when we should fast, and so on.
The October 12 protest rejuvenated people and gave hope to millions in India and abroad who had seen the Congress in terminal decline for years because of a lack of ideological clarity. Rahul Gandhi's success is bringing the Congress back to its ideological framework of a liberal, secular, socialist, democratic party. Many people are afraid of "socialism", but the fact is that the world is witnessing a revival of socialism, and India cannot remain untouched by it. The Congress has a historic opportunity to return to the Nehruvian path of liberal democracy and Indira Gandhi's process of nationalisation. It will have to promise that all national assets will be re-acquired, the public sector strengthened, more funds provided for education, and health services nationalised. You cannot leave our health and education in the hands of cronies. It is time for the Congress and the India Alliance, as well as those who are not part of it, to adhere to a common minimum programme for the nation. Define it and decide. You may not be electoral partners, but you can be united on various programmes.
While the political battle continues, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress need to understand that the time of one-party domination is over. India will be defined by the diversity of its political and social organisations. Alliances are a reality, so strengthen them. Keep the door open for those who are not with you for political reasons but may come back, and so keep your language reasonable. Equally important is learning to manage contradictions. India still does not have a presidential form of government, so when you go to different states, local issues dominate and must be given equal importance.
Finally, Rahul Gandhi and his security team need to be extremely careful. Watching him in the crowd is thrilling, but it is also dangerous. The Congress and his security team must ensure his protection. In the last few days we have seen the Gandhis in public, and while appreciating their efforts, it is also a tremendous risk. I would only request his advisors and party leaders to ensure there is no laxity as far as his security is concerned. I was happy with yesterday's mobilisation but extremely uncomfortable on many occasions watching Rahul Gandhi amidst the crowd. I hope the security agencies are watching. Their job becomes difficult when facing such huge crowds. The Congress Party must ensure that all security protocols are followed, particularly whenever Rahul Gandhi participates in public rallies.
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*Human rights defender
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