Rahul Gandhi's combative style stole the show in Parliament. What next?
India Today
In the first half of the Parliament Budget session, Rahul Gandhi appeared politically energised and intent on sustaining pressure on the Modi government, especially over national security. Will he be able to keep the momentum? What are his plans for the second half of the session?
During the first leg of the Budget session, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi emerged as the central figure in Parliament. He dominated proceedings -- firing salvos, refusing to yield, holding one line of attack for nearly 50 minutes, countering interruptions, and sustaining a pointed critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from beginning to end.
Buoyed by his aggressive stance and ability to get under the government's skin, Congress MPs appeared energised. They rallied behind their leader, faced suspension, staged dharnas, raised slogans and reached out to Opposition colleagues with visible camaraderie -- hoping to act as a force multiplier for the party leadership.
As one senior Congress leader remarked, "If Rahul Gandhi continues this form outside Parliament, the Congress party is sorted -- but unfortunately that hasn't happened in the past. Let's see what happens this time."
Rahul Gandhi set the tone for the upcoming political battle by meeting with a group of farmers on Friday. Many attendees were office-bearers of the party's Kisan wing, yet the optics were unmistakable -- positioning Gandhi as pro-farmer and critical of the Indo-US deal.
However, for optics to translate into electoral support, the Congress must move beyond symbolism and energise grassroots workers to actively mobilise.
The Leader of the Opposition has linked the Indo-US agreement to what he describes as Prime Minister Modi "buckling under pressure" from Donald Trump. Gandhi also suggested that suspended Congress MPs include images of Gautam Adani alongside Donald Trump and Narendra Modi on protest banners displayed at Makar Dwar. Rahul Gandhi looks on as suspended Lok Sabha MPs stage a protest during the Budget session of Parliament (PTI)
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