‘The Gandhi scion will now sharpen his attack on BJP in Parliament and seek answers on all the prevailing issues’.
New Delhi
As several top leaders of the Congress were not expecting any verdict from the Supreme Court on Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his “Modi surname” remark, Congress leaders have said the top court’s rapid decision has infused positive momentum among its rank and file and also initiated the beginning of “good times” for the party.
Congress senior leader in communications department of the party told The Sunday Guardian, “If the BJP had held the discussion on the no-confidence motion as soon as it (the motion) was moved in the Parliament, the BJP could have dealt with the Opposition smoothly. But now if Rahul ji’s membership is restored in Lok Sabha in the coming few days, they will have to deal with Rahul Gandhi himself.”
Senior leaders further said that the Gandhi scion will sharpen his attack on BJP in Parliament and try to seek answers on all the prevailing issues. A senior political analyst close to the Congress leadership said, “Now it would be the main aim of Rahul Gandhi to corner the ruling party. The central focus of all political observers will be what he speaks in Parliament. And this time, he would want to take charge of the narrative on the floor of Parliament.”
It is also notable to mention that the Congress was struggling to put out a common leader in the Lok Sabha for speaking and addressing the claims of the ruling BJP and also who could invoke the spirit of the cadre and command on overall leadership of the Congress. Now with Rahul Gandhi’s resumption as a Lok Sabha member, the party thinks that it is back with an articulate voice who can push forward Opposition plans with a stronger resolve.
A political analyst privy to the developments in Congress said, “The Opposition alliance INDIA has moved a no-confidence motion against the government. So, in that regard, there will be a debate and in Lok Sabha, there was no authoritative voice who could represent the Congress. Now, some people had suggested Sonia Gandhi to take the centre stage. And it was unclear whether she would have spoken or not. But with Rahul Gandhi’s membership being restored by the Supreme Court, it is sure that he will take the centre stage and give a challenging speech on matters of prime importance and seek the government’s attention.” The debate on the no-trust motion which was moved by the Congress and supported by the Opposition INDIA bloc, against the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha will begin on 8 August. Moreover, Prime Minister Modi is expected to reply on 10 August.
Congress president Malikarjun Kharge said, “It was to be seen as to how much time the Lok Sabha will take in reinstating Rahul Gandhi as a member.” He pointed out that after a court in Gujarat had convicted Rahul Gandhi, the entire process right up to the disqualification was completed within 24 hours.
In order to continue the momentum of the party, senior leaders also suggest that the much-awaited Congress Working Committee could also be announced in the coming week which will also have young members below the age of 50.