Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s obsession with the Adanis has become a matter of ridicule in political circles. A recent clip, where Rahul was shown telling voters that each time they switch on the light, the money goes to Adanis and each time they visit a gas station for petrol, the money goes to the industrialist, has become a butt of jokes. In fact, many leaders have openly taken a dig at the Congressman for his remarks and this has also trended on the social media.
Rahul’s image had undergone transformation for the better after his historic Bharat Jodo Yatra but his advisors or he himself seem to be undoing the good work. Rahul’s attacks on Adani seem to be from his belief that if he attacks the industrialist, he shall be able to hit at the Prime Minister, who in his thinking is close to Gautam Adani and continues to help him at every given opportunity.
The reality is that Adani like all industrialists is close to many political players, and even outside the BJP, he enjoys cordial relations with several leaders in the Congress. It is a known fact that Gautam Adani had a god rapport with the late Ahmed Patel, Sonia Gandhi’s principal political aide and later treasurer. He is also said to have financed many candidates during the Karnataka Assembly elections where the party wrested the government from the BJP. It is true that Adani has benefited during the past decade in particular but this is not necessarily because of any wrong doing. Unlike many top Industrialists, he does not owe huge amounts to banks and attempts to malign him are said to be inspired by reports published in foreign newspapers which need to be authenticated fully. However, when Rahul Gandhi attacks him without being able to substantiate his charges, he also impacts the standing of the business house in the stock exchange and thus impacts stake holders who have invested in Adani shares. The point is that if the industrialist is wrong and has infringed any sort of regulations, there were enough mechanisms to bring him to book under the law. However, if the accusations are solely political, it is not going to benefit those who are making them. Levelling such unproved charges, can lower the credibility of those who are making them. Rahul Gandhi is associated with the grand old party of the country that has ruled Independent India for close to 70 years. Therefore, he should not be carried away by hearsay or the prompting of many of his advisers, whose association with rival business houses should also be under the scanner. It is a well-known fact that amongst those who are considered close to the former Congress president, are some who have had some sort of dealings with other business houses, and therefore may be nudging their leader at the prodding of their friends. This is what needs to be clearly understood.
The Congress has to face the Lok Sabha polls in four months-time like other political parties, and should be concentrating on the political agenda. Yes, there could be talking points regarding the attacks on rivals that could feature industrialists including Adani. However, it should not appear that there was a single target of the campaign and in the process larger and more important issues get sidelined and tracked.
If the narrative requires any such focused attack on any one, that would pass the people the people but to make it look like that there was only one villain in the game, shows anyone making such charges look naïve. Industrial Houses have always had a close relationship with politicians. There was a time when the House of Birlas was the most powerful entity and had influence on the political class much more than what anyone can imagine. Those who recall history may also remember that Mahatma Gandhi had close association with the Birlas and this was something which went in favour of the industrial house whose commitment to the freedom struggle also helped.
In the 1980s, the Ambanis became the power centre and first Dhirubhai and later his sons, Mukesh and Anil wielded considerable influence in political circles. Times are changing and it could be Adani who is the rising star in public perception but it maybe someone else subsequently. Nevertheless, politics goes on and it is linked with the people and the issues that arise and not with industrial houses or individuals who are important but cannot be the focal points of sole attention. Matters such as corruption, unemployment, rising prices, inflation and similar issues touch a chord with the people. The BJP’s discourse has been mostly around polarisation politics but it has succeeded in the electoral arena because of that.
The Congress has to discover its own Mantras and accordingly act. Rahul should first ensure that his priorities in taking on the BJP were correct and not influenced by any other considerations. He should not damage his own image if he has to be a long-term player. He should attack policies and not individuals unless that is paramount. The Congress is expected to do well in the Assembly polls and this would raise the morale of its workers. However, irresponsible statements are something which need to be taken off the political narrative.