In all the hubbub of the coronation of Rajkumar Rahul at Jaipur, I forgot that he got compared to Barak Obama. I thought that the comparison needed some close examination. We will try to compare them point-by-point.
Barak Obama was fathered by an African student in the US and never really was a father to him. His mother who essentially was a single parent brought up Obama. She moved from place to place with him. By all the available information she was not exactly a rich person. Not exactly a charmed or a privileged life. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi was born into royalty. DO NOT KID YOURSELF. Gandhi family is royalty without the title. They are filthy rich and extremely powerful. Do not get fooled by his so-called sad story of playing badminton with guards. This guy had a privileged life and did not have to work for anything.
Obama went to Harvard Law School and graduated with a J.D. magna cum laude (which is the highest way to graduate from one of the best Universities in the world). He was also Editor of the Harvard Law Review. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi went to some non-descript University in Florida. Do not believe all that crap about him being at Oxford or Harvard. Investigations into his being at those universities have come up with nothing.
After Graduating, Obama worked at the University of Chicago (another great University) as a visiting Professor and then worked in a law firm specializing as in Civil Rights litigation. On the other hand Rahul Gandhi worked in Consultancies, which are not answerable to anyone and thus can hire people as a favor. A consultancy wanting to get close to a powerful family in India could easily hire the family’s son. After all, the family son in law made hay during the family rule.
Obama became a state senator and then a US senator from a Midwestern State (the kind which do not easily elect a black man). On the other hand Rahul became an MP from Amethi, which is a Congress safe seat. He then went on to become a bigwig while his mommy was the grand wizard of the party.
Obama’s big moment came at a speech, which he made at the 2004 party meeting where they nominated John Kerry. I am told that this is the biggest forum in the US to address the party machinery. Obama’s speech was so good that people started to predict that he would be a great nominee in 2016 elections. You can watch his speeches on Youtube. He can handle the press very well. On the other hand, you can watch Rahul Gandhi speak and come to the conclusion that when it comes to public oratory, Obama and Rahul Gandhi are like Sachin Tendulkar and a High School Cricketer.
Instead of waiting till 2016, Obama then went on to become the President of the United States of America. He did it again in 2012. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi took a long time to decide what he wanted to become. Even then the post was forced on him because the Gandhi family could not hide him anymore.
Obama won the elections by courting the young voters who are less beholden to the matters of race. In that, he is a true youth leader. On the other hand, the youth leader title on Rahul is either imposed (by the party or the media) or self assumed for self promotion. Failure to win anything in UP or Bihar or WB or anywhere tells you that he has no base with the regular non-Congress youth.
Obama overcame the racial barrier to get where he is. Black people were being discriminated against in the worst possible way until 50 years ago. Breaking that wall and becoming the first black president would have been unthinkable before his 2004 speech. That way he is a pioneer. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi has further raised and strengthened the barrier. Think about it. In many ways, we are still trying to break the shackles of our servile attitudes i.e. awe of English language and inferiority complex vis a vis white skin. Indians with means are beholden to fluent English which is why they send their kids to missionary Christian Schools or insist on fair skin in matters of personal relationships. Now what do Sonia and Rahul bring to the table other than their Dynasty Rule and white skin? Do not kid yourself by the power she holds. It is not her ability but our slave attitude which bestows that upon her. Yes. Rahul is bringing back the wall.
Comparing Obama and Rahul is a disservice to one of the greatest personalities of our time. You may not like Obama’s policies but no one can deny his achievements. The two names should not be even spoken in the same sentence.
We do have a person who is an OBC and thus like Obama, comes from a very modest background. He may not have the fancy degree of Obama but he shown to possess the ability and the intellect (one example is his use of the latest media technologies). Like Obama, he has come up through the ranks on his own. Like Obama, he has won on performance and political acumen even in the face of extreme negative campaign. Like Obama, he has the pulse of the youth of the nation even though he is no longer young. Just like Obama, this man is also a tremendous orator who can inspire and instill confidence in people. Who is he? I will give you a hint. He is the three time chief minister of a major Indian state. With any luck the voters will give him a chance to lead India. I am sure you can figure this one out on your own.
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