Priyanka Gandhi’s silence says it all: Rahul Gandhi is the boss
A 15 km-long road show was being watched on February 11 by millions of people across India.
While many poured onto the streets of Lucknow, capital of India’s most populous state, many more watched the coverage on TV and still others were hooked onto live streaming online.
The sight of the beaming Gandhi siblings — as pleasing as that is — however was not the only reason why people watched the entire show that went on from morning till late evening.
Many stayed glued to the road show to hear the Congress' new general secretary in charge of eastern UP — Priyanka Gandhi — speak.
However, the anticipation that built up through the day over what the new political entrant would say was met with disappointment as the road show ended and Priyanka flew to Jaipur to be with husband Robert Vadra, ahead of his questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over an alleged land scam.
People were, however, addressed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
Priyanka’s silence, and Rahul’s eloquence in Lucknow, had just one message to convey — Rahul is the boss!
This was not Priyanka Gandhi’s road show, it wasn’t meant to be.
It was Rahul’s show all along, organised to convey the message about who his lieutenants were.
Some thought Priyanka would speak later. That 'later' is still awaited.
A day before the Gandhi siblings hopped onto the bus in Lucknow, along with general secretary in charge of western UP Jyotiraditya Scindia and senior party leader Raj Babbar among others, the Congress released an audio message from Priyanka, in which she asks people to join her in starting a new chapter in politics.
The 30-second audio clip has been the only formal communication Priyanka has had with the electorate as yet.
Her Twitter account, that came into existence the same day the Lucknow rally was organised, is yet to see any tweets.
Priyanka is known to be a good orator who can establish a direct connect with the people raising an emotive appeal. Her silence is thus not coincidental — but indeed, a studied one.
At the end of the rally, it was Rahul who told the crowd, which was listening in rapt attention but also clearly restless to hear from Priyanka herself, that it was he who had sent the two — Priyanka and Jyotiraditya — to ensure the Congress organisation was strengthened in the state, so that the party wins the 2022 Assembly elections.
“Maine in dono ko yeh zimedaari di hai (I have given the two this responsibility),” Rahul said as his new lieutenants heard him and nodded in all seriousness.
The Congress president raised slogans of “Chowkidar chor hai” as Priyanka kept waving and smiling to the crowds. As Rahul raised the Rafale jet model to remind the people that it was Modi whom the Congress was going after full throttle, Priyanka held the handle carrying the controversial jet replica.
Priyanka’s speaking could have given the impression that there are two power centres in the Congress; her silence has put speculation to rest by eloquently conveying there is just one — Rahul Gandhi.
The Congress’ narrative in the 2019 General Elections is going to be driven by Rahul Gandhi.
Priyanka is going to ensure the drive is smooth — silently for the most part.