THE CHARMER

Rahul Gandhi still attracts like a movie star. But, as was evident in his election campaign in Nanded, people now want his charm to transcend his looks, demeanours and lineage

It is difficult to stand the searing heat of summers in Nanded even in the comfort of one’s home, let alone waiting for someone in anticipation right under the scorching sun. Still, by 10.30 am the Deshmukh Nagar maidan in Nanded city has started filling up. Even though, AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi is expected to reach only by 1 pm to start Congress’s election campaign in Nanded, no one wants to be late.
Farmers, labourers, shop owners and political aspirants from adjoining villages have travelled in crammed buses, trucks and jeeps and reached early to get a closer look of what has been told to them is their great hope. There is an atmosphere of great expectation as people talk among themselves about Rahul’s chopper having started from Wardha. Congress workers are upbeat. Draped in quintessential whites and donning shades in golden frames, they dart around with great anxiety — some managing things, others pretending to.
But they have done their job well, by 12.30 pm the maidan is filled to capacity. The 40 degree heat is having its effect. Sweat is dripping off foreheads and cotton stoles are being furiously swirled for some air. But everyone waits. Says Vikram Jadhavrao, a farmer who has travelled from Lahan village to see Rahul, "I have been a Congress voter for a long time. I have heard a lot about this young boy. I have come to hear what he says."
Nanded’s heat can easily sap enthusiasm, especially when small local leaders, trying to make the best of their five-minute opportunity, thunder out clichéd political platitudes. But Rahul is pleasantly punctual by Indian standards. He has arrived by 1 pm and is on the dias by 1.15 pm.
The crowd roars as he waves to them. People stand on their feet, even as those behind them shout: "Baith, bath!" He has the charm of a movie star. As a young boy sitting behind the press enclosure tells his friend, "Chngla disto ahe. (Looks good!)" As he settled down after customary welcome by Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan, former home minister Shivraj Patil and other local leaders, the crowd too fell silent in anticipation of Rahul’s speech.
Nervousness was palpable among some local leaders as they made introductory speeches. Congress candidate from Nanded Bhaskarrao Khatgaonkar ended up promising an ITI in Nanded instead of an IIT. And Shivraj Patil, who promised to keep his speech short, almost put half the crowed to sleep with his drawl, before Chavan took the mike.
Finally, Rahul came to the podium and the crowed lit up. Those dozing off straightened up and became attentive. Suiting his image of a young, dynamic leader, Rahul cut short on salutations and thanks-giving — limiting them to "bhaiyon, behenon aur buzurgon" — and quickly went over to what he wanted to say.
In a speech spanning not over 10 minutes Rahul spoke what appeared to be a very controlled and prepared speech. He talked of UPA’s achievements in the past five years and attacked the opposition for its divisive politics. He was soft and to the point.
Reiterating the old Congress line of being with the ‘aam aadmi’, he said, "The UPA for the past five years has worked for the aam aadmi. All progress and development done by this government has gone to the poor and the down-trodden. We have implemented the NREGA, the largest employment guarantee programme in the world, given poor children meals in schools, common people right to information and waived off loans of distressed farmers. UPA thinks that if India moves forward, every person should progress along with it. No one should be left behind. And this progress should happen irrespective of caste, creed or religion."
He attacked the opposition for its divisive politics and apathy towards the poor. He also spoke of his hurt at being mocked at for his Kalawati episode in Vidarbha. He said, "The opposition doesn’t talk of the poor. They talk of stock market and privatisation. During its regime, the NDA has not implemented one single program for the poor. When elections come they play divisive politics. They say: ‘Maharashtra mein UP ko nahi aane denge. Ek khas dharm ke logon ko aage nahi jaane denge.’ They do not talk of development. But when UPA goes to the poor, then they mock us."
He even invoked the Mahatma, saying he fought the English with poor, while asking people to vote a pro-poor Congress to power. But at the end of Rahul’s speech, not many looked impressed. The anti-climax had set in and was evident with the sparse and muffled applause, mostly coming from Congress workers.
Many looked disappointed that his attraction did not transcend his charm that came from his demeanours, lineage and looks. Said Laxman Gole, a shop-owner from Nanded, "He is a simple and nice man. He doesn’t behave like the haughty politician. He roams around in his car with windows rolled down. He likes to meet people. I like him very much for that."
Gole, who has even heard Rahul’s father, Rajiv, speak, is however a tad disappointed with him. "Rajiv spoke of new ideas and technology. He gave great hope of realising dreams. Rahul is too soft and does not say anything very different from other politicians in the Congress," he says, "Even Sonia speaks more than he does."
Agrees Sudhir Rathod, a hotel employee, "I vote for Congress because of Ashok Chavan. He has brought a lot of progress in the region. I was just very curious about Rahul. He comes off as a nice boy. But I do not know what and how much he is going to do."