Rahul Gandhi, heir to the family dynasty that has dominated politics in the world's biggest democracy for generations, was trying to make himself heard in the uproar of Parliament.

 

Looking nervous, he read haltingly from a prepared statement, criticizing as "anti-democratic" a popular anti-corruption campaign led by activist Anna Hazare, whose hunger strike was aimed at getting parliament to adopt a tough anti-graft bill.

 

With his voice drowning in the din of a chamber where members are prone to "storm out in fury" if they don't like what they're hearing, senior members of his Congress party beseeched him to "go on, go on" with an address that was being televised live.

 

Rahul later called his speech a "game changer" in the fight against corruption. Many thought he was deluded -- the government later caved in to some of Hazare's demands.