Politics is an art of being cold and science of being emotionally strong. BJP leaderships seems to be losing on both fronts. Beginning with BJP’s efforts to dislodge Ahmed Patel from Rajya Sabha, Nitin Gadkari’s threat to Auto manufacturers, KJ Alphons comments on oil prices – there seem to be distinct sense of superiority complex plaguing people from humble background.
So when Amit Shah challenged Rahul Gandhi from Amethi there seems to be a sense of misplaced confidence. While Rahul Gandhi has managed to avoid being a joke for a quarter now, and is behaving with a distinct sense of maturity – same cannot be said about BJP leadership and its ‘Vikas’ in Gujarat. In the Shah’s challenge from Amethi the under current was that he has already won Gujarat and that Rahul should worry about his bastion.
However that is easier said than done. In last fortnight of so with GST reliefs on Khakra and VAT duty reduction by Gujarat government it can easily be inferred that all is not well. In fact the way Gujarat government is acting is very similar to announcements by Government of Karnataka. In both places anti-incumbency tide seems to be high.
This brings us to running with emotions – while Rahul Gandhi wants a responsible opposition in BJP (after his victory), BJP wants a congress mukt Bharat. The juxtaposition itself cries of democracy vs a single party rule. This is certainly a positioning that BJP should avoid – Indians expect and respect humility in victors.
The there is the stupidity of attacking Rahul Gandhi with full might. BJP should remember, in 2013 it was this very strategy that elevated a CM of Gujarat to national contender. If Amit Shah continues in his tirade against Rahul Gandhi, he will be elevating him to the undisputed leader of opposition. Rahul on his part has to just embrace the role and keep on going, while BJP’s high handedness can be their undoing, RG’s humility may take him places
