Rahul's stoic silence on CAA, NRC at Jaipur rally

The silence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on raging national issues including CAA, NRC and NPR while addressing the much-hyped 'Yuva Aakrosh' rally in Jaipur on Tuesday has left one and all surprised.

With political analysts claiming it to be a case of shifting of issues, party leaders were seen reading between the lines to come to certain conclusions.

BJP state chief Satish Poonia said that those attending the rally were seen dancing to Bollywood songs. It neither had youths nor was there any 'Aakrosh' (anger) in the rally.

Surprisingly, Gandhi did not speak anything on CAA and NRC, commented Poonia adding that "it's a surprise that elections are being held in Delhi and the Congress 'prince' is in Jaipur to address a rally."

However, Congress veterans said that the party has lost ground in Delhi Assembly polls and eventually it is trying to revive fresh issues like youth unemployment which has more political mileage.

"CAA has been done to death and so has GST. So economy and youth have been discussed in this rally," a party leader said on condition of anonymity.

Political analyst Narayan Bareth says, "Congress at present times seems to be trying to divert the issue. As BJP is seen cashing in on polarisation and religious sentiments, Congress is now trying to capture real issues like employment, industry and GST. This seems like a fight between issues where BJP is trying to capture sentiments of its religious base, and Congress is trying to divert the issue and bring employment and economy on the forefront."

Congress workers said this is a strategy for relaunching Rahul Gandhi with fresh issues. Hence, he was asked to remain tightlipped on CAA and NRC but to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the economy and jobs.

However, Bareth thinks that Rahul Gandhi being a prominent leader of the party should have spoken on CAA as people across sections were expecting him to speak on the issue which remains most talked about in present times with protesters in the hundreds on the street against the Act.

"It becomes all the more necessary as he spoke on Mahatama Gandhi's ideology in his address who never shied away or hesitated to remind people of all burning issues," said Bareth.

Another party worker said, "Rajasthan always matters to the Congress in many scheme of things. Rahul became vice president here, this is the state where Nehru launched Panchayati Raj system and also the RTI movement started from here. Further the employment guarantee programme was launched in Rajasthan.

"So it won't be untrue to say that Congress party has been getting strength from Rajasthan. First because it is near Delhi and secondly, at present, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has been launching direct attacks on PM Modi. So he looks to be the strategist for Congress at this point of time and therefore Rajasthan shall pay a pivotal role in strengthening of Congress," he said.

( With inputs from IANS )