Rahul euphoria in Bihar
P N Pandey
general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s two-day visit seems to have taken political parties in Bihar by storm. The well-targeted visit has surely hit the bull’s eye. The young Congress leader has been able to rejuvenate youths, especially girl collegians. A sort of euphoria was created wherever Rahul went. He has been able to cultivate an instant relationship with them. Rahul Gandhi was treated like a rock star by the girls of Patna Women’s College. When the girls chorused “Rahulji”, the young MP corrected them: “My name is Rahul Gandhi. Better call me Rahul rather than Rahulji”. Such lively interaction was not limited to Patna. He was the toast of young people at all places he visited. It was a good Congress strategy to target the youths, who make 40 per cent of Bihar population.
Patna Womens College girls going crazy on Rahul's arrival
It will, however, be too early to assess full impact of the Rahul visit. But the initial reactions have been quite pronounced. It has taken virtually all political parties by storm. Ramvilas Paswan took no time in denying that the Rahul ‘storm’ would have any impact on the RJD-LJP combination. The BJP leaders were also quick to criticise the utterances of Rahul Gandhi. The ruling JD-U, however, maintained a rather low profile. Bedevilled by bitter infighting and talk of some of its MPs planning to climb the Congress bandwagon, the party chose to remain silent. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar avoided any comment against the young Congress leader. So did Rahul. He went one step further to praise Nitish as a well-intentioned person. He did play the role of an opposition party by criticising execution of development schemes in Bihar but the salvo was not so strong. He did not forget to deny the NDA government’s accusation that the Centre was treating Bihar step-motherly in giving funds. Rahul clarified that fund allotment to Bihar has gone up by 100 per cent over what Atal Behari Vajpayee government gave to the state. Rahul Gandhi rightly talked of corruption and severe fund leakage in Bihar. He said that 30-35 per cent NAREGA fund is gobbled up by corrupt government officials and contractors.
The Rahul visit has raised one vital question. Is it prudent for the political parties or leaders to use educational institutions to bolster up their political mission? Should not education and educational institutions be insulated against political pollution? All political parties should debate the issue with free mind and take a decision on the issue. However, on the political front the young leader did well to boost the Congress morale in Bihar. The party had virtually been maimed by the Lalu Prasad prop. Congressmen were demoralised and the people disillusioned. The party had to pay for the Lalu sins. Almost all political parties have started feeling the hit of the general election to elect a new Vidhan Sabha by the end of the year. Grouping and re-grouping of political parties and leaders are a natural corollary in Bihar. The ruling JD(U)-BJP combine may be hard put to retain the power. The recent by-election results have already indicated dent in the Nitish government popularity. Ever-growing corruption is sharply eating into the NDA vote-bank. The RJD-LJP combination has virtually no takers. The Bihar Congress and its leaders are too weak to take the reins. Only time will say as to how much the Rahul effect will be able to rejuvenate the sick party. Or will the Rahul storm remain confined to a tea-cup?
