Paromita Das
New Delhi, 22nd September: Before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, this writer made two predictions that unsettled many. While most were sure Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s overwhelming victory would be a thing of the past, the BJP secured 303 seats, solidifying Modi’s second term. The more worrying prediction was that the opposition, stunned and sidelined, would opt to stir unrest and foster civil strife across Bharat. Sadly, that too came true with protests like the farmers’ movement and Shaheen Bagh dominating headlines.
On one side, the Modi government battles Maoist terrorism, restores peace in volatile regions like Manipur, and drives economic prosperity to all corners. On the other, the opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, seems to languish in a quagmire of missteps and ineffective leadership. Described as someone perhaps lacking love for Bharat in his DNA, Rahul’s recent antics, including claiming to wield a “hydrogen bomb,” typify his confused political approach and his attempt to galvanize the young electorate, particularly Bharat’s influential Gen Z.
Rahul Gandhi and the Youth: A Strategy of Chaos and Discontent
Rahul Gandhi’s narrative strategy has increasingly focused on provoking and mobilizing Bharat’s Gen Z, mirroring tactics déjà vu from neighboring Nepal and Bangladesh, where youth-driven unrest altered political landscapes. Inspired partly by these upheavals, Rahul is now attempting to escalate tensions in Bharat by fanning grievances. Already, his baseless allegations of “vote chori” (vote theft) and calls for street protests signal an effort to build unrest that may destabilize the incumbent government ahead of crucial elections.
Such an approach is less about presenting concrete policy alternatives and more about sowing discord—encouraging the younger generation to take to the streets with promises of dramatic political upheaval. Rahul’s shadowboxing with allegations of electoral fraud, despite a lack of evidence and court interventions largely favoring the current regime, exposes a desperation to remain relevant among a rapidly changing electorate.
Failed Attempts at Identity Politics
Attempting to consolidate the socio-economic groups of SC/ST and OBCs through caste-focused appeals, Rahul Gandhi has dug up old political battlegrounds, hoping to replicate the Congress’s historic Mandal-era support. However, Prime Minister Modi’s government has preempted many such efforts through inclusive welfare, expanded official recognition (including Muslim caste census), and robust voter ID verification. These moves have diluted the opposition’s traditional vote bank and forced Rahul to innovate flashy but hollow rhetoric.
Attacks on Industry and Institutions: A Fading Script
Rahul Gandhi’s relentless targeting of major industrial houses like Ambani and Adani as symbols of corruption—“Suit-boot ki Sarkar”—has also largely lost its sting. Courts have dismissed allegations against these industrialists, and regulatory bodies like SEBI have cleared issues, further eroding Congress’s credibility on corruption matters.
Likewise, his critiques of the Election Commission and EVMs do not align with the electoral success BJP has enjoyed under the current system, imploding the narrative that elections are rigged. This failure to substantiate claims undermines Rahul’s efforts to attract Gen Z voters who increasingly value facts alongside passion.
The Battle for 2029: Chaos as Plan A
Rahul Gandhi’s roadmap seems to be centered on fostering chaos, distrust, and dissatisfaction through relentless negative campaigning. With over 1,000 days left until the 2029 general elections, Rahul is aggressively positioning himself as the face of resistance, hoping to replicate the political momentum achieved in previous decades.
His fearless and often reckless public posture—walking without Z-plus security, provoking government arrests—is designed to craft a martyr-like aura, reminiscent of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi’s era, which rallied public sympathy. Meanwhile, accounts of corruption, judiciary subversion, and promises to reverse Modi’s flagship policies aim to attract disaffected youth and minority voters.
A Strategy Long on Drama, Short on Substance
Rahul Gandhi’s political maneuvers reflect a troubling trend: prioritizing spectacle and discord over constructive governance and cohesive vision. While invoking Gen Z’s frustrations is wise in a demographic sense, channeling those frustrations toward empty protests and incendiary narratives threatens social harmony more than it promises any real political alternative.
Bharat’s young electorate is no longer swayed purely by rhetoric but expects tangible improvements in governance, infrastructure, economic prospects, and transparency. Rahul’s failure to present a credible and hopeful agenda weakens his appeal and risks alienating the very demographic he seeks to mobilize.
The Crossroads Before Congress and Rahul Gandhi
The next few years will be pivotal for Rahul Gandhi, Congress, and Bharat’s democratic journey. Rahul’s apparent strategy to evoke Gen Z through incitement and protest stands on shaky ground when faced with Bharat’s evolving political and social realities.
The Modi government’s record of stability, growth, and national security contrasts starkly against Rahul’s disruptive approach. Bharat’s youth are watching, skeptical but hopeful, and the question remains: will Rahul Gandhi transform his theatrics into genuine leadership or continue down a path of division and distraction?
The answer will shape the political landscape heading into 2029 and possibly beyond, determining not just power but the very fabric of Bharat’s democracy.
