Though spokespersons denied a policy shift, claiming their government in fact was responsible for giving birth to aspirational class, by introducing economic reforms, both Rahul and his mother Congress president Sonia Gandhi in their speeches gave clear indications that the party was returning to occupy centre-to-left political space to reverse its sagging political fortunes.
A politically packed Sunday – starting with PM Modi haranguing BJP MPs on the eve of the resumption of Budget session and change of guard in CPM – witnessed a shift in opposition Congress' political strategy too. Buoyed by the farmer turnout at the rally in national capital, which also saw re-launching of Rahul Gandhi who returned from his 56-day sabbatical, the party dumped plans to influence "aspirational middle class", the outcome of its Jaipur conclave in January 2014.
"Much before IT and industries, it is the farmers who laid the foundation... Today they are scared. The government should function for the poor," said Rahul.
Though spokespersons denied a policy shift, claiming their government in fact was responsible for giving birth to aspirational class, by introducing economic reforms, both Rahul and his mother Congress president Sonia Gandhi in their speeches gave clear indications that the party was returning to occupy centre-to-left political space to reverse its sagging political fortunes. The party leaders also attacked Modi government for cutting expenditure on social fronts.
Even, while declaring an all-out war on Modi on the issue of land acquisition and describing his government as 'anti-farmer', 'anti-poor' and 'pro-industrialist', both the leaders, however, didn't specify any future political strategy. Aimed at rejuvenating cadre after a series of defeats, Sonia's speech did overshadow Rahul, in terms of politics, focus and by striking a chord. Party workers, though happy at the turnout, still were sceptical at Rahul and wanted him to spell future plans. Rahul, on his part, assured farmers that he would hit ground wherever government aims to take over their land.
The rally saw moments of discomfiture as well. Organisers had to vacate first few rows, occupied by former Haryana chief minister Bhopinder Singh Hooda's supporters, who booed Haryana state unit chief and Rahul protégée, Ashok Tanwar. The event was attended by senior Congress leaders including ex-PM Manmohan Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Digvijaya Singh.
"I will tell you how Modi ji won the election. He took loans of thousands of crores from big industrialists with which he marketted himself. How will he pay back that loan now? He will do it by giving your land to those top industrialists," said Rahul, who in contrast to his mother spoke ex-tempore. He was, however, occasionally looking at points he had jotted on a piece of paper. Sonia spoke reading out from a prepared text.
"Through the Gujarat model, Modi ji showed that he can snatch the land of farmers quite easily and convinced the industrialists that he can do the same in the whole country. This is Modi's model – weaken the foundation, then attach a ladder to the building, paint it and show to the world that the building is shining," Rahul said. The BJP, later took strong exception to his remarks, saying it was an insult to voters, of the country.
Sonia accused the Modi government of adding insult to the injury of farmers by bringing in the land ordinance. "Rights of industrialists have been secured, not yours," she thundered in halting Hindi, "Thats a big hit to your economical stature. The same PM who loudly said sabka saath sabka vikas, has totally abandoned the poor, farmers, labourers," she added.
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