Incarnation of dynastic politics: Neeraj Kumar

Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as the Congress President on Saturday earned him some bitter comments from former ally Janata Dal-United (JD-U), which has called it the beginning of a new era of dynastic politics.

Soon after Rahul’s “coronation” on Saturday, JD-U spokesperson and MLC Neeraj Kumar said he was elevated as the party chief because he was born with a golden spoon. “Rahul is a new incarnation of dynastic politics vanshvaad ke naye avatar) in the country. Several senior leaders have been sidelined to make him the President of the Grand Old Party,” he said.

Another JD-U spokesman Ajay Alok said, “With Rahul as the president, the party remains within the family.” JD-U President and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had earlier said that Congress had reserved the top slot for members of the Nehru-Gandhi family over the last few decades.

The JD-U and BJP, both targeted outgoing President Sonia Gandhi’s “retirement”. While the JD-U called it a gimmick, senior BJP leader and deputy CM of Bihar Sushil Kumar Modi said, “She has announced retirement fearing the December 18 results of the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections. She foresaw the party’s poor performance in both states and decided to retire from politics.”

Silver spoon jibe

Soon after Rahul’s “coronation” on Saturday, JD-U spokesperson and MLC Neeraj Kumar said he was elevated as the party chief because he was born with a golden spoon.