Rahul Gandhi can’t be all things to all people

Rahul Gandhi has no doubt come of age. In what was probably his most political speech till date, he praised the tribal people of Orissa for standing up to the bullying ways of a large corporation and added, “I am your soldier in Delhi!” Rahul Gandhi is right in showering praise on the Adivasis for not going the Naxal way and for winning their non-violent battle against a firm that was found to have flouted various laws.

There is also no doubt that the not-so-young scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, clearly seen as prime minister in waiting, was speaking from his heart. To have the heir apparent speak up for the tribals of Orissa is welcome.

But there are two concerns that need to be addressed. The first is that stopping a corporate juggernaut is a pyrrhic victory. No one denies that the sentiments of Adivasis must be respected; but no one can disagree that they also need development. They need proper meals, houses, schools, healthcare, and opportunities to break out of their poverty.

It may be distasteful, but we need both development and industries that follow the law and heed local sentiments. Rahul must, thus, come up with ideas and solutions that will end the tribals’ poverty and isolation. We can’t leave tribals as they are, on the assumption that they have an ideal life.

The second concern is whether Rahul Gandhi is a budding statesman or a shrewd politician seeking to extend the Congress’s support base. A few days earlier, Gandhi had met protesting farmers in Uttar Pradesh. Both Orissa and UP are states where the Congress is seeking to grow its electoral base.

If Gandhi really wants to be a spokesman for the poor and the marginalised — and surely India desperately needs someone like that — then he must also show the same concern for the deprived in Congress-ruled states. For instance, farmers in Maharashtra have been protesting against a planned SEZ . Can we expect Rahul Gandhi to speak up for them too?

Over the past few years, Rahul Gandhi has emerged as a charismatic youth leader, and his appeal seems to cut across caste, class and ideology. His charm and apparent earnestness have won him admirers, including those who don’t necessarily care or vote for the Congress party. But as he emerges evermore in the public sphere, he will have to make some hard choices on what he really wants to be. He can’t be all things to all people.