In a marketing campaign that should shame even the sharpest whiz kids, the injection of Rahul Gandhi into the national consciousness as the brave white hope is picking up steam. Appointed general secretary barely seven months ago, making a case for “meritocracy”, going on a tour to discover India, bumping into L.K. Advani in an airport lounge, plumping for the induction of youth in the cabinet, reading from a prepared text in the Lok Sabha, declining a ministerial berth… it’s all happening for the 37-year-old son, grandson and greatgrandson with India’s bestknown surname.
But Rahul Gandhi as prime minister? HRD minister Arjun Singh says Rahul baba has all the qualities of his late father Rajiv Gandhi to be prime minister. If a Congressman is expected to only say that, look at who else is piping in. Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi says he “will be happy if Rahul is made the prime ministerial candidate.” And even the mighty Sharad Pawar who once took on Sonia Gandhi‘s foreign origin says “it is the Congress’ prerogative to choose Rahul or Sonia” after saying just the week before that Manmohan Singh would be a good choice for the UPA.
Questions: Is Rahul Gandhi a potential prime minister? Does he have the parliamentary or administrative acumen or experience, or even the political record, for the job? Is our polity so completely devoid of tall figures with national reach? Are our geriatric politicians running out of ideas or are they preserving themselves by seeming to promote a fresh face? Does Rahul Gandhi stand a chance against L.K. Advani? And what does it say about our democracy that we should so easily fall back on the “dynasty”? Or is all fair in love, war and politics as long as you win?
Photograph: courtesy The Telegraph, Calcutta
Also read: Is this the democracy our founders fought for?
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churumuri 
If Rahul or Sonia become PM of India I’ll surrender my Indian citizenship. Shame on those “Shanda” Congress leaders who looted India for 50+ years. All started with Nerhu who dated Lady Mt.Batten. Nehru family misused “Gandhi” surname like anything there by insulting Mahatma Gandhi. Nalayakku maklu deshana lagadi tegedubitru. Nachike illada kalla makkalu.
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Oh yeah sure, after flunking out of all universities, wasting away his youth chasing women and god knows what else… without ANY credentials except his stupid last name, he is SO ready to be India’s PM.
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Rahul Gandhi? O.K. if there is no other youth in India.
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It will be a sad day when Rahul Gandhi becomes PM of India. But then we deserve the leaders we get.
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Why not Rahul? is there any congress other person there?
remember when Arjun Says Noconfussion. this is the person uplifted all the weaker sections of india. and made other section as weaker.
You Know all the parties says any communual issue happens it is BJP OR RSS. All other Parties are innocent? Look at coimbatoore Blast, Mumabi Blast, Godhra, etc etc.. all Blast and communual roits are because of BJP OR RSS.
So only apadbhandava, Janarakshaka, Loka palaka Jaga kallyanakkagiye Jani sid Gandhi Vamvashaja Rahul.
The Who opposess Rahul are Hindugalu. they are going to be hinde(Backword) only.
you should welcome rising son of india. RAHUL
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Anil, you are gas! no doubt!!
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Every one knows that Rahul is not equipped with any quality to rule India. Before that every one in Congress party who appointed Sonia as the president knew she does not have the quality. The same was true for Rajiv Gandhi. Was it any diffent when Indira Gandhi was appointed by the old guard after Lal Bahadur Shastri?
Is there any use of repeating the obvious? Yes, we need to comments on this. Perhaps then we as a society may find why this is happening?
We had adapted democratic system so that we can choose the leaders through fair and free election. To a great extent we do have a fair and free elections. But whom are we forced to vote for? Who are taking part in these elections? On what basis election fought? Is there any informed discussion on the platforms of any political party? It is true that voters have thrown out previous governments. This does show that democracy is working. But when we analyse further it becomes that we have to choose between the same corrupt, incompetent and self centered leaders who just change their affiliation depending upon where they are able to get the maximum benefits and not based on any ideology.
At the party level there is no democracy at all excpet perhaps in communist party and to a lesser extent in BJP. Decisions are based more on dynastic principles and not by democratic choice. This was the system we have been ruled under before Britsh came and then we had British monarchail system. Yes we did throw the britsh monarchial system and replaced with our own modified dynastic rule.
When Rajiv became PM, he also talked about internal democracy. Nothing happened. Now his son has expressed the same in different words stating there is no meritocracy in Congress knowing fully well it is lack of meritocracy which is responsible for his ascendency. Will he be any different?
Those of us who are responding to this obvious problem realize that all of us are responsible for this sorry state of affairs? How many of us take part in political activities? It is this which has given rise to dynastic rule in Indian politics?
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Although I am against dynastic rule per se, let’s see what’ s happening in politics in other parties.
1.DMK Chief is preparing to annoint his son Stalin anytime now. He has also brought in his daughter Kanimozhi to Rajya Sabha.She will be a Minister soon.Sharad Pawar’s daughter Sule will be a Minister one day.JD(s) has become more or less a family party in Karnataka.Lalu brought in his wife as C.M. and there was no protest.
2.The Bush Family is in politics with Junior Bush following the Senior. Kid brother Jeb is waiting in wings for his chance.Clinton’s wife is running for American presidency and we have not heard any major protest across or from Churumuri Readers!
3. We accept Rohan Gavaskar becoming a cricketer in the footsteps of Sunil Gavaskar.So also Prakash Amrithraj following Vijay Amrithaj.Latha, was followed by Asha , Meena and Hrudaynath Mangeshkar. No problems. Dr. Rajkumar’s all sons are actors! So was Raj Kapoor’s whole family running into third generation.
4.We accept a Doctor’s entire family to be doctors and same for Lawyer’s family too. There are lots of examples here too.
5. If Rahul Gandhi is selected by the Party what’s the problem? If he is good he will survive , otherwise ,the party will be thrown out of power. You can rest assured Party will themselves do it.
When it’s happening all over the world , in all walks of life and there is a check and Balance, why should people object when the Party gives him a chance.
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This will slowly evolve into “anyway the current people are not doing anything, let us also give him a chance” kind of opinion. It would serve him and his party good if he goes through the grind for at least 3 – 4 more years and learn the “tricks” of the trade.
Meanwhile there is also over-zealous reporting of Priyanka meeting her father’s killer today in the media, is the stage being set of her entry also.
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Give this guy a chance and who knows ?????
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Not that I like Dynastic politics or Rahul or kumaranna, but when people vote/elect him & his party members agree/endorse … I am wondering why do you people have problems with that ???
Haven’t you guys used your parents ( forefathers) name/power/money/etc …. lets be realistic & stop crying foul every time a politico’s son becomes another @$$.
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@RightChoiceBaby!
Stalin, Rohan Gavaskar and Bush dont make a trifle of a difference in my life, but, R. Gandhi will, as PM. There are many wise and mature people who are confident of themselves and are less boot-lickers as compared to Arjun Singh or MK.
I only goto Doctors whom I trust and who have been in business and well established. Doctors are not allowed to do trials on patients, why should people like R. Gandhi be allowed to experiment on 1.1 billion people ?
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If we don’t want RG as prime minister, we should quickly bury his party in the dustbin of history. The Congress was not created to rule but to win freedom. At 12 a.m. August 15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru bid goodbye to his faith in Gandhianism.
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At least old people who by hiding physical inability to become PM will be avoided. Those above 70+ should retire in politics. Can we accept those who are physically unable like Arjun, Sharad Pawar, Karunanidhi and sundry are fit enough to take important decisions regd problems of the country.
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First let him be a minister of state ( in whatever capacity ) and get to smell the dust of the files…how low can the ‘elders’ stoop, disgusting
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When will they ever learn?
Congressmen will never learn. After triumphant victories in the 50s, it has been a steady decline in vote gathering for the Congress because of this blind Chamchagiri towards one family- so much so that they have to depend on the impractical, China oriented Left for survival today. When can we see real democracy within the Congress party? It is awful to see S.M.Krishna and other senior members kow towing to a non entity like Rahul Gandhi. It seems that there is no dignity left in Congress.
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Hello Rahul baiters!
Anand ; I wish you were right when you say only best doctors operate.The number of wrong operations, unwanted operations,kidney thefts are legion in our country.This happens everyday more due to greed than ignorance.
If Karnataka could be ‘ruled’ by a first time MLA,and got in to the seat by unfair means, nobody had any qualms.In fact K’Ka was treated to a royal burlesque show of copious tears by father- son team.Why is nobody is questioning inclusion of Jyothiraditya Sindhya in to the cabinet?Are we as a rule very fetish and go after one individual?In fact if Rahul were to become a Prime Minister, it will be the most difficult job for him.Kumaranna, Sindhya don’t have to bother about their lives.It will be a daily nightmare for him considering what happened to his ancestors.Ithink he should be questioned, asked to spell out what he wants to do and how. Let’s not hang him before giving him a chance and if his party chooses him, then it is really none of our business.You can remove him by defeating his party in the elections.
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Rahul Gandhi Bahupark ! Bahupark !
As First Act he declines it ! Second act soon follow very soon ! Sonia who declines the PM post last time will not agree look at it again ! But what other options Congress have now ! No one will vote to congress again on Manmohan singh’s face including his own wife !
The only brahmastra left with congress on last 5 years Ok Ok show, is to project Rahul Gandhi as PM.
If it happens this country has no future ! Anyone from any where can rule this country with out a single qualification except he has Gandhi attached to his name !
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I wish Rahul becomes PM and either of the below becomes true
1. He gets killed like his father
2. He puts the last nail to Congress coffin.
This way we can make sure at least our future generations get a better set of leaders.
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>>He gets killed like his father>>
Kashyap,
Wishful thinking…dont forget Priyanka Vadera is also a heir apparent and she even has a baby now. So for the next 2 generations we have to put up with this dynastic misrule
:)
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The recent visit of Menaka Warde to the Vellore Jail with-out taking any permission from the concerned authorities, creates a bad precedence. Is it that the Nehru family is above LAW. Just a RTI claim has blown the bubble. Some strict action has to be taken in this case. Even prosecution if warranted.
Nothing strange that the hard core criminals live in luxury in side the jail, because of their contact and he jail authorities are not able to do any thing.
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Sorry it must be Priyanka Vadra>
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This is another unfortunate era the old congressian are trying to begin with, they are hardly concerned with peoples of india are its integrity, those people who want to see Rahul on the Top Post at this point of time are agents of the capitalist, these 5000-6000 new born capitaslist have hijacked indian economy and taken every india ro their knees,
For the last four years congress have been riden by these 5 to 6K peoples force and now when genereal elections are on the corner, they want congress in centre under any circumstance and most weekest prime minister to head that group of their agents,
what you are expecting from Rahul Gandhi, do you see him guarding our country like India Jee or Advani Saheb? no never
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Prepare for the Columbian girlfriend to lead your country after Rahul Gandhi–that is how it seems to work in India. And you oppose McCaulay who said “Indians are congenitally incapable of self-rule.”
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If Advani – Modi – Singal and all your stinking dothi wallas can be candidates for PM post why cant our young – educated – and
charming Rahul Gandhi
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What are you guys talking about? Whats wrong with Rahul becoming the PM? Advani jee looked after India? BJP is the best party? have you forgotton how their party president was caught accepting money on camera? Have you forgotton Kargil intelligence failure? How about Babri masjid?
You guys are saying this because you are angry with congress and I bet the same people will be spitting venom against BJP after 5 years and talking about congress..
Public memory in India is really short….
None of them are good enough… but atleast Rahul/Jyotiraje/Sachin Pilot/ Milind Deora/ Arun jaintley are all young people and can atleast give a new direction to India
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Rahul Prime Minister No! He is there due to have name Gandhi. Is a stupid man. Me likes Dr.Manmohan Singh, a man from poor family who did all himself. Singh a man with brains loves his land india.
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why our india is one of the backward country even after 60 year of independence?
who bring Bangladeshi people and setup slums for them in india?
why our railway track looks like Sewage
why india consider as one of corrupted country?
why more and more educated india people want to leave country?
Who is responsible for people killed in Kashmir?
Why no action against terrorist and the people who support terrorism?
Why there are so many uneducated people after 60 year of independence?
who is responsible for all above? congress has ruled 42 years and 6-8 years was ruled by the people who supporting congress right now in center…
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No doubt…. Rahul is an imposed leader.
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