“Today
we pay tribute to the millions of workers whose hard work, sweat and tears have
gone into building our nation. No country can aspire to greatness without
ensuring that the people who build the nation are partners in its prosperity
and success. That those who work in our factories, in our fields, at our
construction sites, in our mines and in enterprises big and small across our
country are assured dignity of labour and a decent quality of life. That their
children too have opportunities to choose the life they want to live, and a
chance to excel and prosper. Let us renew our resolve today to strive for an
India in which every citizen rich or poor, farmer and labourer, irrespective of
the circumstance of their birth can hold their head high and live and work with
dignity and honour.”
Rahul Gandhi said this today, on May Day, on
Labour’s Day, or on International Workers’ Day. And while saying so, he
extended the revival plank of his party, the Indian National Congress, of being
pro-poor and fighting for the cause of the farmer.
He is on an India tour these days, protesting the
land bill ordinance. In his meetings and outreach programmes, he alleges the
Narendra Modi’s government of being anti-poor and anti-farmer. He is alleging
that the Narendra Modi’s government is pro-corporate interests and is working
to usurp the rights and land of farmers and the poor of this country. He is saying
that the ordinance route was taken as the government was not sure of its
chances in the Parliament.
Yesterday, he was in Vidarbha, the place of
Kalavati and Shashikala and countless others; the place where Rahul ate at
Kalavati’s house in May 2008 (in Yavatmal’s Jalka village) and mentioned her
later in his famous speech in the Indian Parliament during the trust-vote
Manmohan Singh’s government.
He trekked 15 Kms of it. He is there to reach out
to farmers and poor. Unseasonal rains have destroyed crops in around 2 lakh
hectares, as the government data show. The real figure is expected to be higher,
like the farmer suicides, over 1000 this year, in affected regions across 14
states. Some states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have seen many farm
suicides in these months.
And the National Democratic Alliance’s government
has already re-promulgated a land ordinance that is vociferously opposed by the
political opposition as well as some allied within the government.
A changed Rahul sees an opportunity here – of
Congress’ revival – and of taking on Bhartiya Janata Party.
Yes, a changed Rahul Gandhi.
Post his latest sabbatical, Rahul
looks politically active and more aggressive. And the BJP is taking it
seriously, hitting back. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s response in the Indian
Parliament yesterday can be seen this way. Firstpost quoted him saying – “Yeh sujh-bujh ki sarkar hai, isme koi galat
fahmi nahi rahe (this is a government of solutions, there should be no
misconception about this). Booted hona better hai. Booted out hona khatarnak
hai (It is better to be booted. Getting booted out is very dangerous). Yesterday
there was criticism (by Rahul) against the Prime Minister that he spends time
abroad. At least we know where he is. Is India taller in the community of nations
today than it was a few years ago or not? I was surprised when I read over the
last few days that compared to the developed world, whether it was Iraq or it
was Yemen or Nepal today, it is India which is now being considered as a global
leader even in areas where we could not manage our own affairs earlier –
disaster management. The Congress Party would realize when the Prime Minister
of India goes abroad even for two days or three days, he performs a national
duty. There is a difference between performing a national duty and disappearing
for a jaunt. Therefore, you must realize the difference between the two. What
is the kind of commitment to politics that you suddenly disappear for months
together and then you come back and say that I will pick up an issue every day
merely because it will make my presence felt.”
So, Rahul Gandhi, after his leave of
absence, is more certain of his future than ever it seems. Probably, he has introspected
and meditated about it.
Hope, the changed streak is there to
stay – and words of his May Day speech, that are clearly backed by a pro-poor
approach, should be backed by an intent that is natural.
And yes, he has to find the solution
to the ‘Robert Vadra riddle’ and convince the countrymen about it. It should
happen soon. There is indeed a mayday like situation there.