The writer is an independent journalist based in New Delhi and writes for several Indian newspapers
From all accounts, the charge has come a bit too late. Modi is all over our television screens, radio jingles and print ads, imploring the people to vote for the BJP because their “vote will go straight to him.” He has also upped the ante, targeting Farooq Abdullah’s family in Kashmir, accusing it of being communal against Kashmiri Pandits. And in West Bengal last week, he targeted Bangladeshi migrants, telling them to get ready to leave India after May 16.
But the biggest diatribe was reserved for Priyanka’s husband, Robert Vadra, a businessman from Moradabad. Unveiling a video that alleged he had made hundreds of millions of rupees from insider trading in land in the Congress-ruled states of Haryana and Rajasthan, the BJP acknowledged that they considered Priyanka their chief opponent in the Congress party.
Certainly, the cheer inside the Congress has been muted because ‘Rahul bhaiyya’ is still at the helm of affairs. Priyanka, who is said to adore her brother, agrees. Moreover, she has a husband and two children. Rahul, on the other hand, must lead such a lonely life despite being in the constant eye of the storm.
The truth is that despite the near-certainty of the BJP coming to power in just two weeks –– the satta bazaar has even stopped betting for Rahul’s Congress –– there remains in India an unquenched desire to know more and more about the Gandhi-Nehru family. They are the ultimate Indian tragedy, soaked in both blood and power, so remote that you know nothing about them and yet so intimate that when her audience in Rae Bareli told Priyanka that they couldn’t see her because of the forest of TV cameras, she simply came down from the stage, stepped out of the TV cordon, picked up a chair and sat down in front of them. “Ab to main dikhti hoon?” she asked.
How can you not shower your love and praise –– and your vote –– on this girl?
Contrast this with the night Rahul Gandhi spent in the hut of a Dalit in 2009 in his own Amethi constituency in UP (neighbouring Rae Bareli), taking then British foreign secretary David Miliband with him. When the media found out, they splashed it all over the place. Rahul reacted by being shy and reserved and gauche, insisting that this was none of the media’s business. The media reacted by making fun of his intermittent visits to Dalit homes, as if it were an excursion or something.
But we can all imagine what Priyanka would have done with that event. She would have celebrated it and converted it into a headline on the status of Dalits in an opposition-ruled state. She would have sat on the mud floor and eaten with her host family –– all of which Rahul did too –– and insisted that they tell her their story. In the best, possible way, she would have humanised herself and her hosts.
It has been fascinating to see how the BJP has reacted so violently to Priyanka’s comments over the weekend. The video against her husband is an unmitigated mix of allegation and a cheap shot. Certainly, some of the rumours about him benefiting in land transactions through inside information are true, but to bring down the level of political discourse to attacking Sonia’s son-in-law is pretty low, even for the BJP.
So why is the BJP reacting so adversely to Priyanka and her husband? Firstly, because it is clear that Robert Vadra is the Congress party’s Achilles’ heel. Second, Priyanka is such a natural that in a time when the Congress is so down and out, the BJP doesn’t even want the smallest sympathy wave generated on her count.
Imagine then, what would happen if Priyanka actually decided to enter politics?
That question must now be kicked down to 2019. Until then, India prepares for a whole new government in power.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (32)
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Dear ma"m
Priyanka was ghe main campaigner in UP state elections in Vidhan Sabha seats of Amethi and Rae Bareli. Congress lost 8 out of 10 of those seats.
Further, the False claim of Modi calling her his daughter, the neech rajneeti comment ( even though it may not have had a casteist angle), the arrogant 'Smriti who' are all statements that have boomeranged.
Rahul had won Amethi with 370000 margin in 2009. Even if. He manages to retain his seats, it will be with a far fqr. More modest margin. Possibly it maybe the case like Bellary where Sushma lost to Sonia in 1999 but subsequently, Congress never won that seat. The questions on governance raised by Smriti have not been answered by Priyanka who has simply focused on the family name and running down those who she believes are not as elite as she is. But just ignoring the questions will not make them go away.
I also feel surprised that you respect an arrogant dynast rather than a self made woman like Smriti considering that you yourself are a professional woman who has made it on her own steam.
@Rex Minor: Ashoka the historical emperor didn't walk out of 'Hindutva' which is a recent, 20th century concept & Buddhists aren't really non-violent. Human failings are same irrespective of beliefs..(a) Hinduism-Hindutva were unknown words in Ashoka's days though Persians might have been familiar with 'Hindu' as people (b) In his early days Ashoka was fond of Indian Materialism/Nihilism, which meant living in spiritual vaccume, almost. Formally,like his father Bindusaar, he followed Ajivika sect (Indian heterodoxy). It's a measure of greatness that such ideas were never proscribed. Post Kalinga, remorse driven & in search of spiritual solace he could have opted for Vedic Dharma of his old clan or gone for Jainism (preferred by his grandfather Chandragupta Maurya in his old age). But, he chose Buddhism. In this land back then where aggressive proselytism was unknown it mattered little who followed what. (c) Word & Concept of "Hindutva" as a political ideology of a few hardline reactionary Hindus were invented/coined by one Mr.Savarkar during session of Hindu Mahasabha (grand conference) held in Ahmedabad in 1929. Hinduism is a religion while Hindutva is a political ideology. The former has nothing to do with latter.
@gp65:
Madam, you should be addressing "Mr Someone" who made the remark about Mr Modi being from the backward class. My reference to Ashoka was to explain that this lendry man from the Indian mythology gave up the Hindutwa cult, in favour of Buddhist tantara, after supposedly massacring people who were near or far away from him. And if Mr Modi now wants to revive Hidutwa, then neither him nor any of his followers have made an inch progress towards enlightenment. What has happened in the past is no ones fault but in my opinion it has been due to the culture that people practice and the standards they set for ethics and morality in their communities.
Rex Minor
The most sensible parts of this article are found in the comments section. Why does Tribune choose the cream of the cream for Pakistani opiners but scrapes the bottom of the barrel for Indian opiners. Surely, the Pakistani hoi polloi deserve better, no ?
@Moin
You have landed on dry land!
Rex Minort:
I'm a Pakistani expat in Princeton University in the USA. I have a lot of Indian friends and by virtue of my studies I know enough about India, its politics, and the elections (the process, dynamics, and people) to see that this is a very shallow OpEd written for a very under-exposed Pakistani readership. Or, maybe not! Why does this paper think Pakistanis cannot fathom or require more depth and substance about India or about anything else? I'm disappointed with this paper's cynicism. I have the same problem with Mr. Kuldip Nayar's rants. It's immaterial whether I support his viewpoint or not. (I do). But can't we have more depth, more perspective, more incisive stuff?!
The Congress party has been in power for almost sixty years since independence. And the Nehru dynasty has been at the helm for most of that period. No Indian citizen with self respect can allow this fiefdom to continue. The congress party men may have surrendered their party and self respect to this family. But, you can not expect the people of India to do that. In the last ten years, especially during the last term of five years there has been scams galore under the congress-led govt resulting in a huge loss to the gov. An Italian business man named Quotroachi was allowed to swindle crores of rupees and go scot free, all because of the Italian born congress head. The whole world knows who was actually administering the country--not Mr MM Singh, but Sonia family. Ms Priyanka may show her charm, but can not defend with facts her husband whose corruption has been proved.
@Rex Minor:
. The one line rebuttal by someone was a fantastic reply. Your endless justification and reply to the same does not make sense.
@someone:
I am not a Pakistani, but if you reckon that a man from the backward class is going to be your Messhia and by taking the Indian folks thousands of years back to the ancient times of Hindutwa, which Ashoka gave up in favour of non violence Buddhism, then Indians have come a long way to complete the circle with Nothing. The living experience of the folks who can just prove that the Earth is round. I have got bad news for you; todays world is Flat and transparent, no more round. India has the world's largest illetrate population and the largest number of undernourished children in the world, says UNO. Not even the Chai wala can solve these problems and no democracy can build their future on todays undernourished children. This is neither sustainable nor acceptable! Your present Prime Minister had the ideas but was not allowed or overruled by the Congress lady..
Rex Minor
@Rex Minor: yeah may be because it could be from Quetta to Dhaka :)
@BlackJack:
I cannot recognise the country called India on the future world Map. I could provide the estimated time scale once the Indian leadership gets transfered to the long awaited neckless High Priest!
Rex Minor
@Rex Minor: Well haven't you guys be wishing it for what, 65 years now??? Guess what, the Idea of India is becoming stronger with every passing day. With coronation of Modi, it would be a new dawn in Indian politics. A man from a backward class, who used to sell tea in a small stall, has a very strong chance of becoming the PM of world's largest democracy. Is this even possible in Pakistan???? Not in next few decades.
I hope Gandhi family and congress so the india Pakistan will not have a war monger next to it's border that is Modi.
@Rex Minor: India is on the verge of imploding.. Pls provide a timeline - would like to understand what you mean/ hope by 'the verge'.
@Jag Nathan: You are damn right but who of the leadership is not. She is going to dump this gigolo after the election is over!
Rex Minor
Sycophants are back if not Indira,then Rahul,Sanjay,Sonia Monia and now Priyanka....Even If Nehru Gandhi Family farts they would sell it as heavanly perfume which they smell everyday before starting the work.. When Normal Indians can be CEOs of Microsoft and can build machines reaching to Mars do why should the King or Queen of country be from one family we believe can do much better then them..
What can one say? It is fine for one to have problem with NaMo, but you are actually saying attacking Robert Vadra is cheap shot? What are you and what do you think your readership is -- fools? You think this bugger hasn't milked this money on clearly fraudulent insider trading transactions? This phony Priyanka and her phoney outrage, what rubbish
What can one say about journalists like these? Paid sycophants? Move out and let India have a chance to get out of this rut of politics of so called dynasty that has been nothing but leeches
This election period in India has exposed the hypocrisy of many so called journalists. The hypocrisy is so blatant that's it there for all to see in all its ugliness with no attempt to hide it or make it more subtle. I won't even bother pointing out the hypocritical parts of this article.
Incredible and yet not surprising at all. The pseudo-secular is also the feudo-secular. All hail the next Nehru-Gandhi ruler, she actually sat on a chair and smiled! What more could the nation possibly ask for.
In the age of e-media, it is important to look the part. Any association with Gandhi- Nehru is a brand multiplier. Add to that a quantity of sycophants. What you have is what you see. A country in the grip of hero worship. Tripping over Rahul and Priyanka - born in luxury, with no credible record of "experiencing" life. No where have they been close to the masses, no where have they created jobs and opportunity. Their big accomplishments are looking telegenic and cashing in on the Gandhi-Nehru name. Even Vadra will be a Gandhi.
In the US too you see dynasties too - Bush, Clinton, Kennedy's. But the election process and scrutiny exposes the candidates for who they are. In India the only requirement of Congress is to find a Gandhi. Second an enchanted media. Rest follows. You get what you deserve.
India is on the verge of imploding, it has for too long existed as a country of ethnic divide, simply because the anglo saxons left it as one unit(excluding the muslim majority areas), and has been ruled most of the period by the Congress party dominated by one family. T who have ruled the land. The alternative for the people has always been to return to their avatar Gods and relive the period of Asoka! Mr Modi, the front runner has promised to give them the relief from the Indian corrupt family and to give them the genuine Bharatya with all the ingredients of Hindutwa and has the credentials of allowing the destruction of the Babri Mosque and thousands of deaths in communal riots, and yet to be able to administer the economy of the province. Perhaps the Princess Priyanka had a better chance to rescue the millions of suffering men and women, but being married to rich playboy husband is not a very good asset either against the Man who is through and through hindu and does not let a woman near him not even his wife.
Rex Minor
She has definitely more charisma than her bro but alas !! its too late. She should have started campaigning this several months back.
You ask 'How can you not vote for her'? Easy enough. She is not a candidate.
@author: " ... there remains in India an unquenched desire to know more and more about the Gandhi-Nehru family. ... "
It is high time we thank the Nehru-Ghandhi blood line for their services to the nation and put them on the next Alitalia flight out of New Delhi. Force to be used if necessary.
"But we can all imagine what Priyanka would have done with that event. She would have celebrated it and converted it into a headline on the status of Dalits in an opposition-ruled state. She would have sat on the mud floor and eaten with her host family –– all of which Rahul did too –– and insisted that they tell her their story. In the best, possible way, she would have humanised herself and her hosts."
I cannot believe that a journalist is proposing lies and drama in politics.
Shame. This election has made me ashamed of being an Indian. It will take years for this shame to heal.
the more we are becoming in number, the more inhuman we are becoming.
Priyanka's husband is not a businessman. He is a crook.
Priyanka is a hypocrite. A few days back she accused Modi of ignoring farmers of Gujarat. Over the years Congress has ignored them to such an extent that regularly farmers commit suicide. In Maharashtra farming lands have been appropriated for setting up housing estates for the super rich. Yet this same Priyanka never said a word. She is a phoney. She has come out of the woodwork because she fears that her family's writ is about to end and their days of hardship are about to start. Her mother and brother can go to Italy but where can she go? This is the reasoning behind her foray into the election.
Really? The video against Robert Vadra's land dealings is a cheap shot and the unending accusations of being communal despite the 12 year record of no communal tensions in Gujarat fair reporting? The unsubstantiated accusations that the plicy driven industry friendly regime of Gujarat is nothing but crony capitalism a fair accusation despite the fact that no less than Supreme court said that land acquisition processes in Gujarat were a role model worthy of emulating?
Priyanka Gandhi jumping into the fray, is nothing but perpetuation of the utterly corrupt Nehru-Gandhi dynasty and its criminal enterprise, the Scamgress party, on the people of India ... the people of India must bring an end to the corrupt dynasty, that has been systematically looting India in the name of sick-ularism ... the dynasty that is responsible and answerable to more than half of the Indian population, still without heath care, education, water, electricity ... 67 years after independence ... !!