His foray in Punjab to meet the farmers, likely to be affected by provisions of Land Acquisition Bill, made the desired impact and rattled the Badal Government. Farmers, after all, constitute 65% of the population. His biggest venture has been padyatra in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra where farmers have been committing suicides over the years. In Amravati district alone 295 farmers have committed suicide this year. Rahul covered a stretch of 15 kms on foot in blazing sun to meet family members of farmers who have committed suicide over crop failure in last 14 months.

The tales told to him by members of the bereaved families were heart-rendering indeed. A resident of Shahpur village in Vidarbha, whose father had committed suicide in January, lamented: “At least he (Rahul) came and enquired about our problems. None of the present government ever visited us”. Bharat Walke from another village, whose 23-year-old son, had committed suicide only a few months back, was happy that a “big man” visited his house and shared their grief. Rahul concluded his visit at Tonglabad, a village in Chandur Railway Tehsil that has seen four suicides since January 2014.

Visit of political leaders to the families of farmers who were forced to commit suicide has a lasting impact on those whose near and dear once had died. Remember visit of Indira Gandhi, riding an elephant, to Belchi, a far-flung village in Bihar, where dalits had been butchered, changed the fortune of the beleaguered Congress party. Doubtless, Rahul’s visit to chronically draught-affected Vidarbha, where farmers have committed suicide, has generated a wave of goodwill for the Congress. Notably, barely six months back, the Congress was voted out of power in Maharashtra in an election in which farmers’ suicide was a key issue. Rahul’s next destination is Bihar where he will meet earthquake-affected people.

Through Rahul’s new avatar, Congress has given notice that it is determined to do to BJP what BJP had done to UPA during the latter’s years in power—obstruct every move of government through brand of negative populist politics. However, Rahul fiery interventions must be viewed with some skepticism.

It would be overoptimistic to suggest that despite all indications to the contrary, Rahul donned the mantle of the consummate politician. What it does indicate is how dependent the Congress is on one family and its continuing belief that only the dynasty can propel its survival after its disastrous showing in the last Lok Sabha election. After all, it was Sonia Gandhi who forsook her grief over her husband Rajiv’s assassination to revive the party and gave it a 10-year ruling spell.

Rahul’s intervention in the Lok Sabha twice in three days was a record by his standards. The cut and thrust of debate is a routine aspect of parliamentary life. but, dutifully he has stirred out of New Delhi into the wider Indian scene.

The Congress has much catching up to do. That is where Rahul’s ability to fulfill his role as the future leader is of crucial importance. While the Congress loyalists believe in the magic quality of the dynasty to bring the party to the winning post, there are growing doubts on Rahul’s caliber to perform. Many would be happy with Sonia’s continuance as party president, but such an outcome wards off the day of decision, rather than providing an answer. The passionate plea to make Priyanka the future leader, despite the baggage she carries in form of her husband, is a symbol of Congressmen’s growing dilemma.

The Modi government would be mistaken if it were to ignore the challenge being posed by the newly energized Rahul. Agriculture growth has fallen to 1% in the last year even as unseasonal rains have aggravated agrarian distress. The Kisan may not vote on sharp one-liners but is clearly seeking empathy from the political leadership. The real question is whether Rahul can sustain his campaign, which already has a jaded feel to it, and stay the course. Even better would be if he can convert his newfound energy into articulating an agenda of modern agriculture and a revitalized industry, going beyond a vision of endless doles and handouts from an all mighty government. (IPA Service)