Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s jibe at octogenarian Kerala Chief Minister VS Achutanandan over his advancing age , the Kerala Chief Minister said that Rahul Gandhi is an Amul baby and has come to Kerala to campaign for Amul babies.
A natural corollary would be an explanation of Amul baby remarks used by the chief minister. Does it mean well bread, good looking ‘softie’ or, a novice who has little knowledge of national politics? It is difficult to hazard an answer at this stage. Indira Gandhi used to be called ‘mom ki gudia’ by her opponents when she entered politics but she proved herself an iron lady with her strong determination and bold decision making acumen.
Rahul Gandhi may have wittingly or unwittingly used age factor criteria in his election speech; the opposition parties have lost no time to slam him for his uncharitable remarks. The CPM leadership may have taken Rahul Gandhi’s comments in their stride but BJP leader Sushma Swaraj did not lose the opportunity to remind Rahul Gandhi that his comments are a complete ‘non application of mind’. She said that the congress has an alliance in Tamil Nadu with the DMK whose leader and chief minister Karunanidhi is also of the same age as Achutanandan. BJP leaders have termed him bacha(child) and they have often used the term babalog that Rahul Gandhi leads in Parliament.
Rahul Gandhi’s initiation into national politics was highly speculative in 2003 when he accompanied his mother at public events and congress party meetings. The speculations further gained strength in 2004 about his and his sister’s entry into politics when they visited their father’s former constituency Amethi. Rahul Gandhi‘s response was evasive. He had stated “I am not averse to politics. I have not decided when I will enter politics and indeed, if I ever will”. Then in March 2004 he announced his entry in politics and contested May 2004 elections which he won with a margin of over 100,000 votes. Rahul after being anointed as congress party general secretary in 2007 became youth icon for IYC and NSUI.
Congress Party’s Yuvraj is seen as future prime minister of the country. But he has always courted controversies by his off the cuff remarks in his political career.
• He said that anyone from the Gandhi- Nehru family had been active in politics then, the Babri masjid would not have fallen.
• He said once the Gandhi family decides on something ,it makes sure it is accomplished whether it is throwing out the British, breaking up Pakistan or taking India into the 21st century.
• According to him Bachans are liars.
• He has equated Rss and SIMI in his criticism of the right wing groups. In the wiki leak exposure Rahul Gandhi had made alleged remarks that Hindu extremism is a bigger threat to India than Lashkare-e- Taiaba (LeT).
Rahul Gandhi’s views on corruption are well kept secret with him. Be it CWG, 2G Spectrum, black money, funds stashed in foreign banks , he has never commented on these issues of national importance.
Congress party has always been attacked for its dynastic politics. Even Rahul Gandhi is candid about it. He openly admits that he is in politics ‘because he is a member of Gandhi family’. Congressmen may be averse to any criticism of their Yuvraj but the real test of Amul baby’s abilities will only be known when he will take over from the beleaguered Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
