It is more so because he is the star campaigner for the Congress Party in the election bound states. If he fails in garnering substantial votes for his party, it would indicate his ineffectiveness in the general mass. However, his success will push him towards doning coveted post of the Prime Minister in near future, for which he is the strongest aspirant in the Congress party.
Obviously, his leadership skills are also under tremendous scrutiny not only by the opposition parties but also within his own party as his party's future lies in his hands. It is, therefore, just like a make or break election for him.
Union Minister for Human Resources and Development Mr Arjun Singh along with many senior Congress leaders on numerous occassions had echoed their sentiments publicly in his favour for the candidature for the next Prime Ministership candidate. They went to the extent in their expressions that the next general election should be contested under his leadership.
However, by his own submission Rahul Gandhi dismisses this rhetoric. His supportes and close aides view this as mark of seasoned politician who don't want to act in haste.
According to the political watchers, there has been a perceptible change in his style of campaigning this time as compared to earlier elections in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh where he held unsuccessful road shows.
Rahul Gandhi, in this assembly elections process, have stamped his authority and cornered many seats for young candidates particularly in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. It signifies shift in approach of the Congress party towards the generation next.#
State elections
Litmus test for Rahul Gandhi
Make or break situation for the Congress scion
Abhijit Roy Chowdhury - 26-11-2008 11:31 GMT-0000
New Delhi: Apart from being dubbed as semi-final for the next year's general elections in India, the assembly elections to the six states is a litmus test for AICC General Secretary and Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi.