Rahul Gandhi hugged PM Modi, but couldn't grab the opportunity to nail NDA government

For the longest time, a running joke in the social media has been the coming of age stories done about Rahul Gandhi by mainstream media from time to time. Many have wondered whether the Gandhi scion will ever match up to the standards set by his political bete-noire Narendra Modi. Modi is a natural speaker, who understands the pulse of the people to the core. He may not have the flourish of an Atal Bihari Vajpayee or a George Fernandes, but PM Modi has the skills to make a crowd sway with emotions. 

Yesterday, during the no-confidence motion, Rahul Gandhi had the chance to lay down the marker for 2019. With millions of potential voters watching, it was time for the Congress President to shine. Rahul Gandhi probably did one of his better speeches in years. He was well prepared and landed the punches well. There were no real gaffes except the bar-bahar mispronunciation which even made the PM smile. There was one sensational 'reveal', that France PM has said that there is no secrecy clause in Rafale  To ensure that he stays on top of the news cycle, Rahul Gandhi even did the hug-and-wink routine.  Everything was according to plans, yet PM Modi could swat away Rahul Gandhi's jabs during his reply with ease. 

What lagged Rahul Gandhi was what judges in reality shows call 'X-factor'. He was earnest in intent but failed to connect with the audience.The legacy of 60 years of rule of Congress is too hard to shake off. The fact, that Gandhis, who are the bonafide first family of Indian politics have been in power for too long to pass the buck completely to others, even if the PM is Narendrabhai Damodardas Modi. An OBC from Vadnagar can still project the underdog card, despite occupying the most powerful seat in Indian politics. This is something which Rahul Gandhi has no answer,at least so far. His surname has kept him relevant in politics, but maybe is becoming the greatest impediment in taking the next step. When Modi reminded the Parliament and the nation how from Vallabhbhai Patel, Subhas Chandra Bose to Sharad Pawar and Pranab Mukherjee of current times- politicians who have been sidelined by the Gandhi-Nehru family, there was no counter for it.  The Naamdar vs Kaamdar jibe made by Modi thus hits home making Rahul Gandhi's salvos ineffective. 

But still, Rahul Gandhi could have overpowered if his speech had the proper ingredient. Sadly for Congress, Rahul's speech felt more of name calling, rumours and innuendoes than solid definitive proof to nail the government. His claims in Rafale deal didn't exactly hold muster especially after clarification from the French government. Rahul came across as too eager creating almost a diplomatic issue by referring to a foreign dignitary. Later he even got Anand Sharma and Manmohan Singh involved in the hot mess. 

 Rahul's jibes about lack of employment too were also easily countered by PM Modi. Where he could have gone big was the lynching deaths, particularly with most states also ruled by BJP. It could have been an albatross around BJP's neck if he could have articulated the point properly. He went into a tangential direction with that point and never exactly articulated how Congress can be better in maintaining social fabrics despite its past ommissions and commissions. That could have been a much easier point to hit home, than Rafale, whose complication wouldn't appeal to average voters easily. 

Getting into details of why demonetization was a failure could have been one potent strike. Rahul claiming GST as Congress' was tad immature. They couldn't get it passed and no matter who he blames for it, the history books will remember that the tax law came into existence during Modi era. 

Doubting Army's credentials regarding surgical strike was another blooper from Congress previously. PM used that bit to land his most lethal punch during his speech, where he said doubt me, but don't do it to the Army. Similarly mocking Modi for efforts with China didn't make sense. India matched eyeball to eyeball in Doklam and got the concession. It is only natural that Modi government would like to have good terms with a strong neighbour like China with an unpredictable Trump led USA changing the world order.  He could have pointed out issues like lack of coherent Pakistan policy or how Ganga cleaning has come out of a cropper so far. 

In short, Rahul Gandhi couldn't give a crystal clear reason to vote for him and Congress. Why should people take him as the designated challenger, as a first among the equals didn't come through. Okay, BJP is bad, but what will you do differently which you haven't done in last 60 years. Nowhere did we get any clarity. It was his time to shine with leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati, Chandrababu Naidu not present. In most opposition meet, these leaders would be there to share the spotlight, But here Rahul had a chance for a solo-run to give his 'I have a dream' speech. Instead, he could be mocked like a kid by PM Modi. 

Rahul erred in topic selection or certainly in the importance needed to be given about what actually irks the public. In 2008, trust vote, Rahul made waves with his Kalavati story. That was essentially his first breakout in Indian politics. 2018 no-trust vote will be known for his jadu-ki-jhappi. Viral element sure, but not vital to what finally matters.