Harish Gupta
Rahul's TINA Moment
There Is No Alternative. In an ironic twist, Congress insiders say the TINA doctrine is now quietly shaping the party's attitude towards Rahul Gandhi.
Behind closed doors, there is no dearth of criticism. Senior leaders privately admit they often wince at Rahul's unscripted remarks. They feel his speeches, particularly the off-the-cuff observations, sometimes allow the BJP to hijack the narrative. Instead of keeping the spotlight on issues, the debate frequently shifts to what Rahul said—or what he was perceived to have said. Many believe tighter preparation and sharper messaging would make him a far more formidable challenger. Yet, the criticism ends where the leadership question begins.
The uncomfortable truth confronting the Congress is that nobody else comes remotely close. Mallikarjun Kharge commands respect but is not the party's mass campaigner. The younger generation is yet to acquire national stature. Regional satraps have influence in their own states but lack pan-India acceptability. Even INDIA bloc partners, despite their occasional differences with Rahul, instinctively look towards him whenever the Opposition needs a national face.
That has produced what one Congress strategist describes as the party's own TINA moment. The conversation within the party is about protecting him from avoidable political pitfalls and converting his growing political aggression into electoral gains.
For all the murmurs, frustrations and private advice, the Congress has quietly accepted a political reality that mirrors the BJP's own narrative. Just as the BJP insists Narendra Modi invincible and his charisma intact, the Congress has reached the conclusion that, for better or worse, there is no alternative to Rahul Gandhi either.
The Family Dilemma
Few leaders in Indian politics remain as closely intertwined with their family as Rahul Gandhi. But Congress insiders say that, despite the constant consultations, predicting Rahul's final decision is never easy.
According to close party functionaries familiar with the Congress top leadership, Rahul routinely discusses important political issues with a small inner circle that includes Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and a handful of trusted advisers. Those who have watched these interactions say Rahul is an attentive listener in one-to-one meetings, patiently hearing out differing viewpoints before making up his mind.
What happens after those discussions, however, remains anybody's guess. Congress insiders describe Rahul as a leader who rarely reveals his final thinking until the very last moment. Even those closest to him are often left waiting for the eventual call. As a result, speculation within the party continues until the decision is formally communicated.
Some leaders also believe Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tread carefully while offering advice, choosing persuasion over pressure. They are said to present their views gently, aware that Rahul prefers to arrive at conclusions on his own rather than being seen as following anyone's line. His decisions regarding Tamil Nadu and Punjab clearly give a clue to his thinking. The complete absence of Robert Vadra from the public glare for the past sometime has also baffled Congress watchers.
For the party, the consultations may be collective, but the final call remains unmistakably Rahul Gandhi's.
Modi Soars, BJP Stumbles; Congress Scores
It is one of the biggest ironies of Indian politics in the digital age. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has built an Instagram empire that no politician in the world can rival. With over 105 million followers, he dwarfs Rahul Gandhi, who has around 13 million followers.
But the twist: The Congress' official Instagram account has significantly more followers than the BJP's official handle. In other words, Modi crushes Rahul. Yet Congress beats the BJP. The contradiction is not accidental. It tells the story of how Indian politics has transformed over the last decade.
The BJP has gradually ceased to be merely a political party. It has become a vehicle for one towering political brand—Narendra Modi. His speeches, travels, diplomacy, Mann Ki Baat, yoga sessions and election rallies dominate the party's communication. Millions feel little need to follow the BJP separately because, in their minds, Modi is the BJP.
Congress, on the other hand, operates differently. Rahul Gandhi has certainly become the party's principal campaigner, but the Congress handle serves as the digital headquarters of the entire opposition ecosystem. For many anti-BJP voters, the Congress account has become the first port of call rather than Rahul's personal page.
Secondly, modern elections are becoming increasingly presidential. The real contest is no longer just between the BJP and the Congress or Modi and Rahul Gandhi. It is between the power of a political personality and the strength of a political organisation. Instagram has merely made that distinction impossible to miss.
BJP on a Peace Mission
The BJP appears to have suddenly discovered the virtues of love, affection and, above all, allies. After months of projecting political confidence, the party leadership has quietly switched to a more conciliatory mode, sending a series of unmistakable signals that it is ready to listen — and perhaps even bend a little.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal is being seen as one such signal. In Bihar, the BJP’s gesture towards Upendra Kushwaha’s family, with his son being accommodated in the Legislative Council, has also set tongues wagging. And then there was Nitish Kumar. The former Bihar Chief Minister had been in Delhi since July 20 for the Parliament session, yet the BJP suddenly found the need to invite him for a meeting. The timing did not escape political observers.
There are other small but telling signs. Two developments appear to have played a role: the BJP’s unexpected setbacks in the recent bypolls and the surprising success of the Abhijeet Dipke-led CJP campaign, which demonstrated that political space outside the established parties can suddenly acquire momentum.
The BJP, it appears to have realized that dominance does not mean it can take allies, voters or emerging political forces for granted. So, for now, the BJP is on a peace mission. And the hugs seem to have begun.
