Rahul Gandhi’s Europe tour sparks controversy amid national mourning and growing challenges within Congress party.
NEW DELHI: Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has left for a Europe tour to celebrate holidays. Rahul’s tour comes at a time when the country is mourning the horrific plane crash in Ahmedabad. This trip is sure to affect the Congress’s ongoing programmes, with the first impact expected on the campaign aimed at strengthening the organisation in various states.
While no one in the party is speaking openly, there is definite surprise. Some leaders are whispering that Rahul should have avoided the tour at such a sensitive time, especially since the organisation’s condition in the states is already disappointing due to continuous defeats. With elections in Bihar and other states approaching, strategy planning is crucial.
Meanwhile, the party does not seem concerned about the by-elections currently underway in some states. Priyanka Gandhi, however, appears serious about the byelections in her parliamentary constituency of Wayanad. Voting is scheduled for June 19 in Nilambur, part of Wayanad, and she reached Wayanad on Friday to focus on the election. Priyanka will hold two rallies on Sunday.
The Nilambur by-election has become interesting because the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is supporting an independent candidate, prompting Priyanka to take the election seriously. On the other hand, the party seems less focused on the important Ludhiana West by-election in Punjab. Rahul, Priyanka’s brother, continues to show a lack of urgency. In the past, Rahul has been criticised for his casual approach during serious matters, which has led to controversies and discussions.
For example, he once travelled abroad a day before the party’s foundation day. Even in the Lok Sabha or during public meetings, he often does or says things that become topics of debate. Currently, at a critical phase for the Congress party, Rahul is the key leader responsible for improving the party’s condition. He takes all major decisions, which are later implemented by the party president. Every decision he makes matters for the party. Therefore, his decision to go abroad at this time is being widely seen as inappropriate.
This has given the BJP an opportunity to raise questions. Given the recent plane crash, Rahul could have returned to show solidarity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and many other leaders visited Ahmedabad to pay their respects. Government programmes were cancelled.
Congress Party President Mallikarjun Kharge visited Ahmedabad on Saturday to meet the victims’ families. Yet, Rahul is traveling abroad at such a critical moment. This will lead to questions about whether the Leader of the Opposition is enjoying a holiday while the nation mourns. To strengthen the party, which has been weakening due to successive defeats, Rahul had started efforts to end factionalism and improve organisation from the grassroots level in the states. But now, questions will be raised about these efforts because he has yet to take a firm decision for even a single state.
Rahul began with his own state, Gujarat, holding many meetings and making announcements. He promised to form a new team to prepare for elections scheduled after two years with the aim of ousting the BJP from Gujarat. However, these remain only announcements. The situation in Madhya Pradesh and Haryana remains unchanged. There is talk of changes in about a dozen states, but considering the current conditions, it does not seem any decisions will be made before the upcoming elections. After his controversial “horse” remark, resentment among state leaders has grown.
Many leaders now avoid meeting Rahul in Delhi, unsure which “category” he will place them in. Rahul reportedly categorises leaders into three groups: those who “run fast,” those who are “married,” and those who are “lame.” Consequently, many leaders have started strengthening themselves independently in their states.
In Uttarakhand, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who had earlier said he would not contest elections, now says he will run even if he is over 75. He claims that if leaders and workers support him, he will form the government again.
