Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023
Journalism of Courage
Rahul Gandhi
As the country approaches the 2024 General Elections, one leader who could be seen as one of the biggest challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reign is Rahul Gandhi. Rahul's growing popularity was recently witnessed when he undertook a five-month-long Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. The foot march, which was launched with an eye to revive the grand old party's flagging fortunes, covered 3,570 km and crossed 12 states and two Union Territories. During the march, the Indian National Congress won state assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and an emphatic victory in Karnataka four months after the march.
Rahul was also at the centre stage when he got disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha on March 24, 2023 after a Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in Gujarat’s Surat convicted and sentenced him for two-year imprisonment on charges of criminal defamation for comments he made about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname. Before his disqualification as an MP, Rahul was critical of the ruling government in the parliament and raised his voice against PM Modi's alleged soft corner towards business tycoon Gautam Adani
Soon after his disqualification, Rahul said, “Democracy is finished in this country. The people of the country cannot speak what is on their mind and the institutions are under attack. The mechanism of that attack is the relationship between Narendra Modi and Adani. That is the foundation.” Rahul echoed his 2019 chowkidar-chor-hai line and blended it with his refrain on democratic backsliding that was a refrain in his speeches in the UK. The former didn’t have much of an echo then and how resonant will a refresh of that be is anybody’s guess. But in a pre-election year, he made it clear that his campaign against the Government — after the Bharat Jodo Yatra — rested on these two planks..
Taking a cue from the success of his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul has consistently been making attempts to meet common people on the streets, addressing young gatherings in universities and raising his voice against the Modi regime.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul was president of the party and led the Opposition campaign. But the Grand Old Party failed miserably in the elections winning only 52 seats in the 545-member Lok Sabha. Rahul lost his home turf Amethi to BJP's Smriti Irani but won from Wayanad in Kerala. The son of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul had earlier appeared to be a reluctant entrant to politics like his father. He entered electoral politics in 2004. He was appointed as the party general secretary in 2007 and was elevated to vice president of the party in January 2013. He took over as the Congress president from his mother Sonia Gandhi in December 2017.
Despite everything, Rahul has clearly evolved as a leader and a lot will depend on how he drives the election campaign first in four states (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana) and then for the 2024 General Elections to be most likely held in May-June.
RAHUL GANDHI NEWS
#Politics | Congress leaders to allies, wishes pour in as Rahul Gandhi turns 53
June 19, 2023 9:47 pm
"May you continue speaking truth to power and be the voice of millions of Indians, while spreading the message of compassion and harmony," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote.
'Stick to doing choreographed interviews': Amit Malviya lashes out at Rahul Gandhi over PSUs jobs 'eliminated' remark
June 19, 2023 10:25 am
In a tweet, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had said that PSUs used to be the pride of India and the dream of every youth for employment but today, they are "not the priority of the government".
Tavleen Singh writes: Timing spoiled Rahul’s US show... this is Modi’s moment in the sun
June 18, 2023 6:41 pm
Rahul Gandhi could not have chosen a worse moment to try and convince the Indian diaspora in America that he is a worthy alternative to Narendra Modi
Mumbai Congress to organise ‘Mohabbat ki Dukan’ to mark Rahul Gandhi’s birthday
June 19, 2023 1:53 pm
During the programme, the party workers will interact with people of each ward to discuss the issues they face and find a solution.
Rahul Gandhi trying to tarnish country’s image on foreign soil, says JP Nadda
June 15, 2023 7:45 am
Earlier, the BJP president made similar remarks at a rally in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district. In Hoshiarpur, he also listed the work of the Modi government, saying the kind of work done in the past nine years was never done in 70 years in the country.
Rahul Gandhi takes truck ride from Washington to New York
June 13, 2023 12:11 pm
Earlier this year, the Congress leader had taken truck rides in India to understand the issues faced by the drivers.
Asking world to intervene in India's issues is inviting bigger problems: S Jaishankar on Rahul Gandhi's remarks in US
June 09, 2023 6:01 pm
This comes days after Rahul Gandhi, who was recently on a six-day, three city tour of the United States, criticised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for controlling all the instruments of politics in India.
Delhi News Highlights: Elderly person killed in Dwarka apartment fire
June 11, 2023 8:37 am
Delhi News Highlights: Sadan Chandra, the elderly resident, was rushed to a hospital after being rescued but was declared dead.
Rahul Gandhi’s American Yatra: A Howdy Modi moment
June 08, 2023 3:42 pm
In America, India’s most famous ‘heir’ pulled back the curtain, seemed more accessible. His message of tolerance was welcome, but the Congress leader was short on specifics
Delhi Confidential: Kicking off Madhya Pradesh campaign next week, Priyanka makes an interesting choice
June 08, 2023 8:01 am
With Rahul Gandhi abroad, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will start the party’s campaign in Madhya Pradesh on June 12. But the choice of the location is interesting: She will address a rally in Jabalpur, the heart of Mahakoshal region.
RAHUL GANDHI PHOTOS
As Rahul Gandhi turns 53, a look at his life and politics: From the archives
June 19, 2023 2:46 pm
As Rahul Gandhi turns 53, we take a look at his life and politics. Take a look at pictures from Express Archives.
Congress leaders protest against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification in Parliament
March 25, 2023 11:35 am
Oppn unity, Kashmiri pheran, snow fight with Priyanka: Highlights of Rahul's Yatra finale
January 30, 2023 4:42 pm
Amid snowfall in Srinagar, Opposition party leaders joined Rahul Gandhi to mark the culmination of the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Watch: Rahul Gandhi unfurls Tricolour at Srinagar's Lal Chowk
January 29, 2023 4:42 pm
Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by his sister Priyanka Gandhi, hoisted the Tricolour at Lal Chowk, after resuming his march from the city’s Pantha Chowk earlier in the day.
Biggest news of the week, in pictures
January 21, 2023 2:36 pm
From Swedish climate Greta Thunberg being detained in Germany to Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra reaching Jammu, here are some of the biggest news of the week in pictures.
A Himachal Congress spectacle amid Rahul Gandhi's day-long Yatra in state
January 18, 2023 2:44 pm
After spending six days in Punjab, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Himachal Pradesh Wednesday morning.
Over 3,000 km walked, Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra resumes after winter break
January 03, 2023 2:15 pm
RahulGandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra has so far covered 3,122 km, across 49 districts in nine states and Delhi. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)
Its leaders in Gandhi topis, Congress celebrates 138th foundation day
December 28, 2022 2:22 pm
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikajrun Kharge were seen at the celebrations for the party's 138th Foundation Day at AICC headquarters in New Delhi.
Delhi decked up as Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra passes through capital
December 24, 2022 11:32 pm
Bharat Jodo Yatra reaches Delhi.
A bike ride, walk with a dog: Highlights of 150th day of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra
November 27, 2022 3:25 pm
Rahul can be seen riding a bike with a helmet strapped to his head while security personnel cleared the path
RAHUL GANDHI VIDEOS
Want to give Modi a hug when he abuses me: Rahul
June 22, 2020 6:04 pm
"When PM Modi abuses me, I feel like giving him a hug," says Rahul Gandhi speaking at The Odisha Dialogue.
Priyanka Gandhi takes a political Plunge, appointed Congress in-charge of UP East
June 22, 2020 6:04 pm
Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress Wednesday appointed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as general secretary of Uttar Pradesh East. She will take charge in the second week of February.
Congress picks Ashok Gehlot as Rajasthan CM, Sachin Pilot is deputy CM
June 22, 2020 6:08 pm
After deliberations, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has picked Ashok Gehlot for the post of Rajasthan Chief Minister. Sachin Pilot, who fought for the position, will be made deputy Chief Minister of the state.
Why the election in Chhattisgarh was not neck-and-neck | DECISION 2018
June 22, 2020 6:08 pm
For at least the last two elections, in Chhattisgarh it was a tight race between Congress and BJP. What changed this time around? Dipankar Ghose decodes the result.
BJP's silence is louder than Congress' celebration. The wait for Modi-Shah's concession speech is still on
June 22, 2020 6:08 pm
The big difference between Congress and the BJP after an election result was at display on Tuesday. While after almost every election defeat Rahul Gandhi addressed the media and answered questions about the result, the BJP headquarters fell silent.
What Rahul did right: It was not the promise of better governance
June 22, 2020 6:08 pm
Congress President Rahul Gandhi is rightly being credited for the grand old party's victory in three crucial states in the Hindi heartland. But what did he do right? It was not the promise of better governance. Manoj CG explains what really worked.
As TRS sweeps Telangana, here’s what worked in KCR’s favour | DECISION 2018
June 22, 2020 6:08 pm
K Chandrashekhar Rao will continue as Chief Minister of Telangana for a second term. The victory is, for the most part, not a surprise. But here’s what worked in his favour. And what about the Congress-TDP alliance? Liz Mathew breaks it down.
Campaign heat: The allegations, the promises and more. Who said what on the campaign trail
June 22, 2020 6:08 pm
In the five states where elections were held, here's what national leaders of the BJP and Congress promised to the people.
DECISION 2018: What's at stake in the 5 states this election
June 22, 2020 6:08 pm
As the results of assembly elections in five states unfold, here's a look at the mammoth exercise undertaken by the Election Commission of India.
Chhattisgarh elections: Congress and BJP manifestos focus on farmers, cows and women
June 22, 2020 6:10 pm
Both Congress and the BJP are fighting a tough battle in Chhattisgarh this year. As the second phase on voting state in underway, we look at what both parties are promising, to woo the voters.
