Karnataka: Rahul Gandhi energised Congress, #BharatJodoYatra played pivotal role

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat
Karnataka's electoral victory of the Indian National Congress is a big boost for the entire country and a prelude to what is in the store in the next general elections if the opposition leaders focus on governance. Congress party fought like a team, unitedly and aggressively and credit must be given to where and when it is due. Whatever people, experts can say, it is Rahul Gandhi who energised the Congress party and his #BharatJodoYatra played pivotal role in shaping people's opinion. We know it well that the media and experts will come out with 'Mood of the Nation' survey, suggesting how this was a 'state' poll and how Narendra Modi is still far 'superior' and 'popular' than any other leader and this 'Brand Modi' remain 'undented'.

Media already started blaming JP Nadda for the debacle of his party in Karnataka untouching Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. The criticism will be loaded against the local leaders and not the vicious hate campaign that the Prime Minister launched. While in defeat they are looking for scapegoats, in victory, the darbaris are suggesting that the 'issues' were 'local' and it was the local leaders who won. Definitely, it was a collective leadership who worked deeply connected and the contribution of D K Shiva Kumar in it important. The campaign by Congress President Mallikarjun Khadge was powerful and message went to all but dont ignore the powerful campaign and road show by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. A TV anchor suggested that it was Priyanka Gandhi who was more 'connected' to the masses than Rahul. There was another who was virtually crying when a tweet of Congress Party came speaking about Rahul Gandhi.

Congress's social media cell will promote its brand and there is nothing wrong. The problem is with these Darbari anchors who feel why Congress leaders are giving credit to Rahul Gandhi. Now, we need to tell these unofficial and shameless spokespersons of BJP that every leader who contest and wish to contest know it well as who is the 'brand' and under whose leadership this campaign was and who are the people listening too. It is important for the Congress party to have the Karnataka model everywhere. Congress had, once upon a time, powerful regional kshatraps who managed their state and it is time Congress develop that. Karnataka model must be developed Chhattishgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana. Congress need to bring various powerful leaders with mass connect and focus on the governance model. People are now looking towards Congress Party.
Whether one agree or not but the fact is Rahul Gandhi has shaped Congress party as a strong opinion based party. A party which was more focused on 'Bjili-sadak-pani' but also ready to take a strong stand on #CasteCensus, Communalism and hatred. This is a new Congress. The slogan given by Rahul Gandhi, Jitni abadi, utna haq is a powerful statement. The call for banning of Bajrang Dal was a powerful statement which needed. Even if you dont ban, you can always say in your manifesto to take stringent action against the hate mongering groups and organisations. There is nothing wrong in saying it because if the party dwindle on these things, it will never be able to win the confidence of the minorities and marginalised communities.
The Manustream Darbaris were suggesting that Congress has done 'self goal' when they sought banning of Bajrang Dal. BJP was quick to jump on it as if there was no other issue. Look at the campaign of the top leaders of BJP. Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, J P Nadda, Yogi Adityanath, Himanta Sharma and Smriti Irani. All of them were competing against each other in foul languages and rhetoric. Can you imagine Chief Ministers and Central Ministers using this kind of language in any civilised discourse but we saw that in Karnataka but the responsne about these by Priyanka Gandhi was absolutely classic when she said that if she start counting how you abused her family particularly her mother and brother then you will find a thick book of BJP and RSS leaders foul language against Gandhis. The language and the personal jibes at the Gandhis was only responded by Rahul Gandhi through his 'Muhobbat kee Dukan'. He deserve full credit and support.
Congress need to keep this momentum. It has given us hope now that 2024 election is now open. The Darbaris and cronies will do everything to stop one person whose name is Rahul Gandhi. They dont hate Congress. They will start peddling other narrative that Khadge is more powerful or Shiv Kumar or Siddharammaiya is the real leader or Priyanka connect more than others but the fact is this Congress of today has a strong stamp of Rahul Gandhi and his ideological positions which need to be lauded and appreciated.
Thank you people of Karnataka for this big victory and Congress Party has to deliver the promises it has made to the people. Dont hesitate in taking action against hate mongers. Karnataka deserve better and hope Congress's leadership will focus on pro people plans and be careful of the attempt to create a discord between the two top leaders Siddharammaiya and D K Shiva Kumar. The challenge for the party is now big but let the leadership election happen democratically and all of them accept it. The flame of hope that has been ignited by the resounding victory of Congress Party need to continue in the greater interest of democracy and secularism in India and for that the party need to remain united and focused on issues. Remember, hatred can give you a few brownie points when the anchors have forgotten their jobs but ultimately the people never tolerate it. People know that your hate agenda is nothing but to promote the crony capitalism. Rahul Gandhi has understood it well and he has been consistent in his criticism. Other political leaders in the opposition parties can take a few lessons from this elections which has proved it beyond doubt that Rahul Gandhi will remain the ideological brand of the Congress party and workers get ignited with his presence and people listen to him seriously.
---
*Human rights defender

Comments

Eight years of empowering tribal communities through water initiatives in Chhattisgarh

By Gazala Paul* In the heart of Chhattisgarh, amidst the echoes of tribal life, a transformative journey has unfolded over the past eight years. The Samerth organization has diligently worked to elevate the lives of indigenous communities in the Kawardha district through the project, "Enabling Baiga Community to access safe drinking water."

Martin Crowe played instrumental role in making New Zealand a force in world cricket

By Harsh Thakor* Late Martin Crowe was the perfect manifestation of how mere figures could not convey or do justice to the true merit of a batsman. Crowe was arguably the most complete or majestic batsmen of his era or the ultimate embodiment of batting perfection, or the classical batsmen. He perished 7 years ago, due to a rare and aggressive form of cancer, follicular lymphoma, which originated in 2012. In September, we celebrated his 60th birthday but sadly he left for his heavenly abode.

Regretful: Kapil Dev retired not leaving Indian cricket with integrity he upheld

By Harsh Thakor Kapil Dev scaled heights as an entertainer and a player upholding the spirit of the game almost unparalleled in his era. In his time he was cricket’s ultimate mascot of sportsmanship On his day Kapil could dazzle in all departments to turn the tempo of game in the manner of a Tsunami breaking in. He radiated r energy, at a level rarely scaled in his era on a cricket field. Few ever blended aggression with artistry so comprehenisively. Although fast medium, he could be as daunting with the ball as the very best, with his crafty outswinger, offcutter, slower ball and ball that kicked from a good length. Inspite of bowling on docile tracks on the subcontinent, Kapil had 434 scalps, with virtually no assistance. I can never forget how he obtained pace and movement on flat pancakes, trapping the great Vivian Richards in Front or getting Geoff Boycott or Zaheer Abbas caught behind. No paceman carried the workload of his team’s bowling attack on his shoulders in his eras muc

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on.

Towards 2024: Time for ‘We the People of India’ to wake up before it is too late

By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ* It is Constitution Day once again! We, the people of India, gratefully remember 26 November 1949 when the Constitution of India was passed and adopted by the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly comprised women and men of distinction, who were able to represent the heart and soul of the people of India without fear or favour. They gave of their best, so that we may a visionary Constitution, which would be the mainstay for and of democracy in India!

Ceasefire a tactical victory for Palestinian resistance, protests intensify across globe

By Harsh Thakor* The Zionist leadership and Netanyahu’s government were compelled to concede the defeat of their first attempt after almost 50 days of daily fighting in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu was forced to concede that he was unsuccessful in suppressing the Palestinian Resistance; and that the release of the prisoners was only plausible because they accepted Hamas’ terms.

Odisha leadership crisis deepens: CM engages retired babus to oversee depts' work

By Sudhansu R Das Over decades, Odisha has lost much of its crop diversity, fertile agriculture land, water bodies, employment potential, handicraft and handloom skills etc. The state has failed to strike a balance between the urban and rural sector growth; this leads to the migration of villagers to the urban areas leading to collapse of the urban infrastructures and an acute labor shortage in rural areas. A large number of educated, skilled and unskilled Odia people have migrated to other states for higher education, quality jobs and for earning livelihood which plummet the efficiency level of government departments. Utmost transparency in the recruitment and promotion in the state government departments will improve governance mechanisms in the state. "No near and dear one approach" in governance mechanisms can only achieve inclusive growth for the state on payment basis. This is a moral hazard. When so many educated young people seek employment outside the

1982-83 Bombay textile strike played major role in shaping working class movement

By Harsh Thakor On January 18th, 1982 the working class movement commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Textile Workers Strike that lasted for 18 months, till July 1983. It was landmark event that played a major role in shaping the working class movement. With more than 2.5 lakh workers from 65 textile mills joining in this strike for almost two years, this strike became one of the most significant strikes in terms of scale and duration All democrats should applaud the mill workers’ united battle, and their unflinching resilience an death defying courage continues to serve as a model for contemporary working-class movements. Many middle class persons harboured opinions that the Textile workers were pampered or were a labour aristocracy, ignorant of how they were denied wages to provide for basic necessities. The Great Bombay Textile Strike is notably one of the most defining movements in the working class struggles in Post-independent India. Bombay’s textile industry flourished in

Massive tropical deforestation: Big finance's $307 billion go to forest-risk commodities

A note on report by Forests & Finance coalition -- Rainforest Action Network, TuK Indonesia, Profundo, Amazon Watch, Repórter Brasil, BankTrack, Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Friends of the Earth US: *** A new report released on ‘Finance Day’ at COP28 by the Forests & Finance Coalition , provides a comprehensive look into the role big finance plays in driving deforestation, biodiversity loss, climate change and human rights abuses in tropical forest regions. The report reveals that since the Paris Agreement, banks have pumped over $307 billion into high risk forestry and agriculture companies linked to tropical deforestation, proving that the policies of major global banks and investors are failing to prevent continued widespread forest and biodiversity loss.

20% of Indian businesses have no emission plan in place despite climate emergency: Report

By Jag Jivan New research underlines urgent need for strategies and transition plans to combat climate change, remain successful and meet stakeholder expectations.

Search This Blog