Sources say that Rahul Gandhi had said from day one that one should not shy away from attacking and questioning the Prime Minister. (News18)
After the 2014 and 2019 results came out, the top Congress leadership assessed that comments like ‘chai wala’ and ‘neech aadmi’ had helped the PM and the BJP build a narrative. However, the party seems to have realized the fatigue after nine years of BJP and hence, not attacking PM Modi would be a wrong strategy
Rahul Gandhi’s first speech in California is just the beginning of many such conversations in the US. As expected, the speech has generated controversy, with the BJP and the Congress at knifepoint. The former MP’s remaining sessions and talks are also likely to stir controversy as the Grand Old Party and Rahul Gandhi decide to brazenly present it and attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP – even abroad Is.
This is part of the well-crafted communication strategy of the Congress – something that was planned during the Karnataka elections as well. The Congress no longer believes in the narrative that personal attacks on the Prime Minister are boomerangs. In fact, when PM Modi said at a rally in Karnataka that there were 91 instances when he was targeted by the Gandhi family, Priyanka Vadra hit back, saying: “If we count how many times my family has been insulted And the name is called, then we can publish the book.”
Every time Rahul Gandhi travels abroad, his talks become a topic of debate and attack the BJP. It is not that he or his party is not aware of the ‘ruckus’ his latest comments will incite. In fact, there are many instances when one notices that he seems to enjoy ridiculing the Prime Minister.
This changed strategy of the Congress is a method that worked during the Karnataka elections and before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The party’s communication department chief Pawan Khera told News18, “It cannot be about just one person—the prime minister. We have to stop thinking that he can be ‘touchy’ about attacks on him.” ‘
Sources say that this was always the belief of Rahul Gandhi. He had said from day one that one should not shy away from attacking the Prime Minister and asking him questions. He never thought that this step would backfire. However, as the 2014 and 2019 results came in and the party analyzed the reasons for the defeat, the top Congress leadership assessed that comments like ‘chai wala’ and ‘neech aadmi’ had helped the PM and the BJP build a narrative.
But now the Congress feels that after nine years there is a feeling of fatigue and hence not attacking PM Modi would be a wrong strategy. The Grand Old Party seems to have a vote bank that would want this attack on the Prime Minister because they are upset. This is the vote bank that Congress wants to capitalize on and Rahul Gandhi’s foreign session will be the way. Whether this translates into reality, only time will tell.
