MR Lalu
Politicians often give us a sense of elation and subjects for laughter. We have had many such politicians in both state and national politics who were known to make unequivocally blatant but ethically embroidered remarks, comments that even their archrivals in the opposition enjoyed and shared as moments of laughter.
EK Nayanar, the former Chief Minister of Kerala, was a Communist veteran and a man with a remarkable sense of humor. While holding office, he could effortlessly transform his political discourses into harmless narratives that his opponents also enjoyed. Of course, at times he had to face the ire of the media and other parties for his ruthless sarcasm. The most significant fact is that this flavor of humor and laughter acted, in most situations, as a cementing agent. Lalu Prasad Yadav of Bihar is also known for his wit and humorous rhetoric. His verbal masala-mix was enough to make Parliament erupt into waves of euphoria. Those were deliberately crafted moments of joy.
Throughout their political careers, leaders like them had complete clarity about what they meant when they said what they said, and what they meant when they did what they did. Their intention was often to deliver a critical remark aimed mostly at their opponents, yet they ensured that their messages were conveyed without disturbing the congeniality of the house they represented. There are many such instances of political maneuvering that one could quote, but that is not the purpose here.
Time passed and the era of straightforward political humor is fading. These days, Social Media is flooded with facades and they come with great pomp and show. Every passing day offers a buffet of gimmicks, and Rahul Gandhi, irrespective of the position he holds, to me, stands out as the finest Social-Media-era celebrity, someone who not only speaks but also does the most curious things. Everything he does, or has done so far, carries a serious intention, and his supporters usually believe these to be his best performances. But, all that is attention seeking and that is the agenda.
It is not easy being Rahul Gandhi. He would say anything and do the unexpected. If not the mainstream media, Social Media always celebrates him as a great entertainer. As I said before, his intentions are genuine for his cohorts and supporters; and his actions are often deliberately showcased as statesmanlike. But their outcomes are, understandably, laughable and ridiculous.
The most recent among his theatrical acts was his leap into a fishpond in Bihar- something he later claimed was done to understand the plight of the fishermen in the state. Before this, we saw him carrying stones on his head while working as a construction laborer, and on another occasion, assuming the role of a farmer harvesting rice. His performance as a roadside cobbler was yet another act that earned him great applause on Social Media.
In the present political scenario, where does the most celebrated dynast of Indian politics, Rahul Gandhi, stand? His attempts to portray himself as closer to the underprivileged, however, often fail to generate the intended impact. Throughout his political career, he has been seen trying to relate to various working-class roles, from a construction worker to a farmer to a fisherman. Yet, critics argue that these efforts have not translated into political gains. All he did was to principally counter Narendra Modi’s commoner background. But the outcome, as the country very well knows, is self-revealing – a drastic failure, his career has always been on a downward trajectory. The latest episode that added to his dilemma was the complete rout in Bihar. And the most staggering scenario is that he fails to learn lessons from his gimmicks and the resultant setbacks.
Where does Rahul Gandhi miss the substance? His gimmicks are too feeble and unconvincing to counter the political acumen and authenticity that Narendra Modi has developed in the corridors of power. “It is extremely difficult to digest fame and celebrity status,” Modi once quipped. His point was that a person must cultivate enormous humility to remain grounded amid the fame and adulation pouring in from all corners. Moreover, no definition of poverty can truly explain the condition of being poor unless one has lived through it. Modi has undeniably, with clarity and with numerous anecdotal references, described his hardships as a child; becoming the very chord that connects him to the public. The electorate he nurtured for almost a decade has received full support from the leader it voted into power, who literally endured the most heart-rending moments of life as a novice.
Incidentally, of course for fun’s sake, I end up drawing parallels between the ancient prince, who was born and grown in the abundance of royal lavishness and Rahul Gandhi. The young prince, having lived in the luxurious confinement of royal privilege, decided to experience the outside world; a world from which he had been completely cut off since birth. He witnessed the suffering, pain, and poverty that ordinary people endured. Ultimately, he sought to understand the truth behind sorrow and suffering, and the world was later blessed with one of the greatest enlightened souls. All that he did was to sincerely understand the plight of his countrymen. He had endured the most grueling period of his life with calm. All he wanted was to discover the reality of the complexities that life holds. Throughout this rigorous exercise of seeking, he understood that the world is the most tumultuous platform on which the drama of life is played. He summarized his experience with valuable insights of realization. The realization he attained came only when he allowed his life’s journey to pass through the painful terrains of existence. Subsequently, what he did was to shake off his royal sybaritic comforts and become a common man. The young prince’s intellectual immensity and his honest acceptance of himself as a seeker allowed him to realize the most complex truths.
Having enjoyed his princely privileges for years, Rahul Gandhi always slipped into a slumber of deep disconnect from the Indian public. His new makeover as a Good Samaritan of Indian politics does not erase his family’s scandals. His intent is questioned, and his political honesty is under scrutiny. His repeated anti-national rhetoric which he thought would gain him political mileage has caused irreparable damage to the overall existence of his party—something that, for certain reasons, will again be seen as a blessing in disguise for his political opposition. Whereas, Modi had lived a commoner’s life marked by deprivation under lamentable circumstances, something he has expressed with great humility that helps maintain his connection with the masses.
(Author is freelance journalist and social worker based in Kerala. The views expressed are personal opinion of the author.)
