Spotlight on Rahul Gandhi

Party faithful expect vision statement at AICC

NEW DELHI: On Saturday Rahul Gandhi attends his first AICC session after taking over as a general secretary of the Congress party.

Ostensibly the session has been summoned to take stock of the current situation in the country and party, however as far as the Congress faithful are concerned the buzz will unmistakably be around its reluctant debutant, Rahul Gandhi. 
 
The build up has already started. Rahul’s is the mug that is the most prominent on the thousands of hoardings and banners that dot Lutyens Delhi.

Customarily it is the Congress president’s speech that is the most sought after at all AICC sessions. Though Sonia Gandhi will deliver her presidential address, and the Prime Minister too is expected to intervene at some time, it is Rahul Gandhi’s speech that is expected to set the agenda.

“I have come all the way from Nagaland to listen to him. I hope he speaks of his vision for the Congress,” says Omen Deori a senior leader from the Northeast.

Rahul prefers to keep a low profile. But on Saturday the spotlight will be on him like never before.  

As far as the rank and file of the party are concerned , he is clearly their leader of the future. What they are now looking for is for him to throw some insight  into what he stands for and his vision for the country and the party.

“Rajiv Gandhi’s speech at the historic Mumbai session where he spoke against power-brokers in the party was path breaking. I hope the young man comes up with something as significant, “ says a senior CWC member.