When the public mandates, immense power inevitably follows. Although Rahul Gandhi, with leaders like Akhilesh Yadav, didn't manage to win the elections for the India Coalition, he's garnered enough political energy to stand firmly from the streets to the Parliament.
The BJP leadership may term Rahul Gandhi's recent assertive approach as a new launch, but the leader of the opposition's attitude is becoming intolerable for BJP - making it increasingly difficult for Modi and Shah, along with other BJP stalwarts, to counter him.
For a decade, BJP's aggressive stance made it tough even for Congress leaders to catch a break, but it seems the tide has turned following the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, causing BJP's 'Congress-free' campaign to falter.
Interestingly, Congress's new strategy targets the very issues that have been BJP's winning agendas, changing the political winds in favor of the opposition, with Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Mahua Moitra seizing the opportunity.
1. Congress Targets BJP's Hindutva Agenda
BJP is reeling from its loss in Ayodhya. Together with Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi has been aggressive from day one of the parliamentary session - mirrored by Mallikarjun Kharge in the Rajya Sabha. Despite occasional interruptions by leg pain, they resume their assertive stance undeterred.
During the debate on the President's address in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's eloquence left the ruling party at a loss. He targeted Narendra Modi, but also did not spare Speaker Om Birla, questioning everything from muting microphones to showing subservience to Modi.
Even senior ministers like Rajnath Singh and Shivraj Singh Chouhan had to stand and respond, but Rahul Gandhi continued to pick his moments to strike.
When the ruling party equated Hindutva with violence and hatred, Rahul Gandhi emphasized that neither Modi, BJP, nor the RSS represents the entire Hindu community, lecturing the government at length.
Rahul Gandhi presented a new definition of Hindutva, markedly different from his previous stance on Hinduism, and fundamentally altered his strategy after BJP's defeat in Ayodhya.
BJP's blunt Hindutva edge due to the Ayodhya loss has made Rahul Gandhi exceedingly aggressive, challenging the BJP leadership to respond effectively.
2. BJP's Nationalism Also in Congress's Crosshairs
Just as Congress penetrated the Hindutva stronghold via Ayodhya, so too did they attack the Agniveer scheme. The India Coalition successfully made it an election issue, and Rahul Gandhi is exploiting the resulting youth anger to his advantage, insisting the Agniveer scheme is not for the army but Modi's personal plan.
BJP's usual tactic of instantly condemning Congress in the name of nationalism is proving less effective, as lawmakers struggle to silence Rahul Gandhi on the Agniveer issue.
3. Corruption Under BJP Rule in Congress's Sights
Corruption was a critical issue in Congress's 2014 election loss, from Anna Hazare protests to BJP exploiting it in parliament. Now, however, the tables have turned, with Congress seizing upon the NEET-UG paper leak case to corner the government.
The issue has put the Modi administration on the defensive, forcing the removal of NTA's chief and the announcement of a high-level investigation committee, indicating a need for BJP to rethink strategies as the anti-corruption narrative starts to backfire.
