Rahul Gandhi, aged 53, has played a crucial role in Congress’ achievements in this year’s Lok Sabha election results, where they secured 99 seats compared to 52 in 2019. He has energized the grassroots organizations of the party through his Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Covering a distance of 10,000 kilometers mostly on foot, both journeys brought Gandhi directly in touch with the masses, positioning him as a significant contender against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In many respects, the two yatras laid the groundwork for the Congress’ campaign for the 2024 election and placed Gandhi, despite his previous setbacks, at the forefront of the electoral contest.
Following the announcement of the election results on Tuesday, Gandhi expressed gratitude to the people of India for safeguarding democracy and holding a copy of the Constitution.
At a press conference, Gandhi stated, ‘The Indian populace has preserved the Constitution and democracy. The marginalized and economically disadvantaged segments of the nation have stood united to safeguard their rights.
Despite facing political challenges and setbacks in both the 2009 and 2014 elections, a rejuvenated Gandhi ensured that such occurrences did not repeat this time.
In the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls campaign, he concentrated on addressing issues that resonated with the populace, utilizing his sharp oratory skills and implementing new social media strategies to appeal to young voters.
In one video, he would reminisce about his childhood with sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra by his side. another, Gandhi would sit in front of a painting of Mahatma Gandhi and refute PM Modi’s assertions about Congress receiving black money.
Modi ji, are you speaking from personal experience? Gandhi queried.
An intriguing aspect of his speeches is notable. He never references Nehru, Indira, or Rajiv. Occasionally, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra mentions her familial ties, but Rahul does not, revealing a leader closely associated with Rahul.
He has also discarded his previous image of being inaccessible.
Gandhi’s speeches place the common man at the forefront. He engages freely with people, embracing them or taking selfies. These actions are also part of a political strategy to highlight his contrast with Modi, the aforementioned leader added.
In March last year, Gandhi lost his Lok Sabha membership following a conviction in a criminal defamation case by a Surat court.
He made a comeback to the Lok Sabha three months later.
Since then, his speeches have revolved around the preservation of the Constitution and critique of PM Modi.
The ultimate goal of Narendra Modi and the BJP is to dismantle Baba Saheb’s Constitution and strip away the rights and reservations of the marginalized. On one hand, government jobs are being eradicated through unchecked privatization, which serves as a covert means to abolish reservation, Gandhi stated at a rally on May 28.
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On May 24, Rahul Gandhi also brought attention to the issues surrounding the Agnipath scheme.
Riding in the ‘Tempo of Patriotism’ allowed me to intimately understand the struggles of the youth. Narendra Modi has betrayed the aspirations of the youth who dream of serving the nation – he has forcefully imposed the Agneepath scheme on the army and them, he remarked.
After securing victory in both the Wayanad and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seats, Gandhi faces a challenging decision.
I will seek counsel from others and then make a decision, he stated at the press conference on Tuesday.