Rahul Gandhi, the “Tsunami” that awakened the younger generation
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The Indian’s once again surprised the world with their political ability for change. According to the latest results the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) won 261seats of which 201 won by the Congress 201(145 in 2004).The NDA (National Democratic Alliance) only 159 of which 121 won by the BJP (Bharatiya Janat Party, the Hindu nationalist party that won 138 in 2004). The other parties won 123 in all (The Left won 24; in 2004 it had won 59)
Till the eve of the elections the media had foreseen a hung parliament and a photo-finish for the two national parties(the Congress e BJP), but the silent and unforeseen tsunami Rahul Gandhi pushed the Congress towards unpredicted results: from 145 seats in parliament in 2004 to 201 in this election. But the ability of Rahul had above all been measured by his success in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It had always been the stronghold of the Congress, but since 1984, with the rise of new parties of outcaste, the Congress never won significant numbers. Here Rahul travelled 87,000 km and addressed 110 rallies and therefore conquered 21 seats thanks to the youngsters votes. An even bigger success was that in Haryana, a state next to New Delhi, where 9 of the 10 seats were won by the Congress. Even in New Delhi all the 7 seat went to the Congress.
The second surprise was for the Left Parties. From 59 seats in 2004 they had fallen to less then half: 24. The big defeat had been in West Bengal where the Communist had been in power since half a century. The Trinamul Congress of Mamata Benarjee had a jump from 1 (2004) to 19 now
while the Communists from 35 came down to 15. In Kerala too the Communists suffered a setback; the Congress won 16 seats and the Communists only 4. against the previous 15.
But Rahul, the star of the elections, was not in New Delhi to celebrate the victory when his mother, Sonia, came out with Prime Minster, Manmohan Singh to meet the media. He went immediately in his constituency to thank the people for his victory. The journalists asked Sonia whether Rahul will be inducted in the cabinet. She diplomatically answered that it is the prerogative of the Prime Minister to call the ministers. And Manmohan Singh said that several time he invited Rahul to take up a ministry, but always declined.
The tabloid Mumbai Mirror came out with the title “Gandhi March” reminiscent of the famous Dandi March of the Mahatma Gandhi from Ahmedabad to Dandi. In fact everybody appreciates this young man who did not take advantage of his family status to become minister immediately, but who preferred the tougher path of rebuilding a more youthful and democratic Congress party. Every body now acknowledges that his decision to let the Congress contest the election alone in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar was the right choice and it paid well.
Just like the Mahatma, who did not exploit his fame to jump into politics on his return to India from South Africa, but started touring rural India, from village to village, to know the real situation of the people, so does this new Gandhi want to start, as a humble member of the party to rejuvenate it and to know its possible new leaders. “He has just been going to schools, colleges, youth seminars punctuated with visits to dalit villages and home of distressed farmers” says Congress spokesperson in UP Akhilesh Pratap Singh.
Will he accept a ministry in the next cabinet? Rahul had answered saying he would join only if he is “forced by the prime minister or his boss” meaning his mother. It shall be known in the next few days.
On the other side of the political spectrum we will see what will happen in the BJP. Advani seems to be heading to retirement. Then who will be the leader of the opposition?
The Left shall continue calling themselves “communists” and using hammer and sickle?
In the next few days many questions will be answered.
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