no immediate dividend
Analysts say Gandhi’s public image is improving, but it may not be enough to convert it into an instant electoral success for the flagging Congress.
“Investing in the personal popularity of Rahul Gandhi is a really smart move,” said Nilanjan Sircar, senior fellow at the Center for Policy Research think tank in New Delhi.
Sarkar pointed to the BJP’s superior organizational ability and formidable election machinery, saying, “Does it yield electoral gains? I think it is unlikely.”
Gandhi declined requests for interviews.
Digvijaya Singh, a senior Congress leader, acknowledged that Gandhi’s march was now coming to an end as the party left space as an effective opposition.
“It’s important, it’s important,” Singh said.
Long seen by critics as a reluctant politician without the skills of the soil to take on Modi, Gandhi’s cross-country march saw him confront the BJP on issues such as communal polarization brought on by its powerful Hindu nationalist agenda, unemployment and inflation. A platform has been provided to answer the questions. ,
“The aim is to stand against the fear, hatred and violence being spread in the country,” Gandhi told reporters late last month. “I think the march has been very successful so far, and it has achieved more than we expected.”
For the BJP, Gandhi’s march is another attempt by the Left-leaning Congress to rebuild her image, but it is not an electoral threat.
BJP spokesperson Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said, “People need visionary leaders, not regular people.” “Has he shown any vision? Has he given any visionary speech? No.”
Senior Congress leader Singh said the party intends to use the march as a springboard to reconnect with voters and revive its grassroots units.
“We want to build and reach every household,” he said. “We have to build on this idea of Bharat Jodo (Unite India).”