More emphasis has been focused on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s quiet ascent in Parliament as the Congress commemorates Rahul Gandhi’s first year as Leader of the Opposition.
The Congress is commemorating Rahul Gandhi’s one-year term as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, with the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament scheduled for July 21. The party is highlighting Gandhi’s speeches, scathing criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government, and regular press appearances as he marks one year in office on July 2.
The Congress had the numbers to win the LoP position in the Lok Sabha for the first time in ten years, therefore Gandhi’s ascent last year was a landmark event. The Gandhi siblings’ comeback to the spotlight in Parliament was highlighted by the fact that his appointment also fell on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s first day as a member of parliament.
It’s interesting to note that Priyanka, not Rahul, has had a greater impact inside Parliament throughout the last 12 months. Her symbolic gestures, unofficial outreach, and interventions have garnered a lot of attention. Her handbags, in particular, which she carried to important meetings, generated political discussion. One bag, perceived as a gesture of solidarity with Palestinians, prompted criticism of appeasement, while another bag, days later, indicated support for Christians and Hindus targeted in Bangladesh.
She has also developed a relationship with Congress MPs, raised concerns about Wayanad, and even met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to request a special package for the Kerala seat. Despite their subtlety, these actions have frequently eclipsed her brother’s presence.
Rahul Gandhi, on the other hand, has had a contentious but more aggressive term. Strong reactions have been consistently elicited by his interventions. A privilege notice resulted from his comments regarding the Abhaya Mudra, charges that the BJP was anti-Hindu, and cautions about the Modi government’s deterioration of the constitution. In a significant event that established the tone for his reign, he took his oath while holding a copy of the Samvidhan.
Gandhi took the LoP position, according to Congress officials, in order to maintain the momentum from the Lok Sabha election and convert it into victories at the state level. The political storyline was presented by his camp as a straightforward face-off: “Modi versus Rahul.” However, there have been no results from that war yet. Gandhi’s leadership did not give the Congress the electoral boost that many had hoped for, and the party lost important states like Maharashtra and Haryana.
More importantly, he has had trouble bringing the INDIA bloc together. His leadership has encountered opposition rather than strengthening the alliance, especially from the Trinamool Congress, which has questioned his suitability for national leadership and advocated for Mamata Banerjee to take the lead on the opposition front.
Citing what it describes as inconsequential comments and Gandhi’s choice of clothing, including track trousers, during important parliamentary discussions like those on the Waqf Bill, the BJP has repeatedly accused Gandhi of trivializing the LoP post. He has been called a “non-serious” LoP by the ruling party, which also claims that his methods diminish the honor of the position.
The Congress expects Rahul Gandhi would develop into the role and demonstrate a more effective leadership style in the next four years of the current Lok Sabha tenure. Some in the party feel that in order to unite the INDIA bloc and run an electoral assault against the BJP, he must now shift from symbols to substance.
As the party commemorates a year under his leadership, the story appears to be less about his metamorphosis and more about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s ascent, who may have become the Congress’s most charismatic parliamentary figure without much fuss.
