A rally here, a rally there....

Congress' power show at the Ramlila Maidan was intended to deliver several messages: The rise of Rahul, a pep talk to Congress workers in the wake of attacks by anti-graft crusaders and the opposition, a counter-punch over corruption and support to the latest round of reforms initiated by the PM. These were all sent across in unambiguous language.

ust embrace change bravely: Manmohan
Rahul Gandhi accused the opposition of being obstructionists without a positive agenda and claimed that the PM and Sonia had “shown the way” on major economic and welfare issues. He took on rivals over corruption, holding up the RTI (right to information) initiative as the “most powerful tool to tackle corruption”. The opposition was also slammed for “spreading falsehoods” on reforms and corruption.
Significantly, he used the rally organized in support of the decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail to reassure the crowd that he had not forgotten the Congress’s pledge to work for the aam aadmi.
It was an assertive Rahul who positioned himself as an agent of change, promising to usher in greater inclusiveness in the political system that has “shut the door on the common man”. The pitch was a reassuring signal that he was ready for the 2014 battle.
Sonia amplified Rahul’s message further, launching a hard-hitting attack against the opposition for trying to tar the government with corruption charges despite being “immersed in the muck of corruption” itself.
The PM harped on fast growth to pull people out of poverty and rebutted criticism of FDI in retail, arguing that “there is enough room for both small shops and retailers”. He sought to firm up support for reforms, saying, “Some tough decisions have to be taken and we must embrace change bravely.”
Sonia’s speech was significant for its assertive tone as the effort seemed to be to dispel any notion that she has lost the will to fight the Congress’s foes. Her remark that the Congress cadres had nothing to feel apologetic was intended to fire up party morale and show that she has not been shaken by a barrage of political and personal attacks.
The PM highlighted the people-friendly aspects of reform like direct cash transfers that he said will put money in the bank accounts of beneficiaries while also promising inclusive growth for farmers and the underprivileged.
The roles of Rahul, the PM and Sonia in terms of their speeches seemed to have been identified before hand as Rahul said Singh would dwell on the economic situation. He endorsed the PM’s argument that growth was necessary to fund welfare schemes for farmers and poor. “So we will move with both,” he said.
Although she backed reforms, Sonia made it clear that it was not the only arrow in the UPA quiver. “We need new investment and FDI is one component of it. It will benefit not just farmers but also the common man and the youth,” she said.
Sonia painted the BJP as a poor loser indulging in obstructionism in Parliament for being unable to “digest the defeats of 2004 and 2009”. She said, “They don’t want to pass the laws for public welfare, don’t want discussion on issues of national interest because they are themselves trapped in issues to be discussed and they would stand exposed.”
She admitted that graft was a cancer that hit the poor the hardest. “We will fight it with full force, will not spare anyone against whom corruption is proved,” she said. Both Rahul and Sonia referred to the food security law that they said will soon be enacted so that no one goes hungry. She even asked critics like the BJP to point out if anyone has run a government that has taken so many steps for socio-economic changes in urban and rural areas in so little time.

In his first major political rally since assuming power in 2005, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar sent a powerful message to the Centre saying the people of Bihar now believe that special status for their state is their birthright. He said if the Centre denies them this right, their struggle will spill into the streets of Delhi, where his party will organize a massive rally in March next year.

Old timers said the gathering was bigger than any other held in the state in the past few decades. Crowds spilled over onto the adjoining Exhibition and Fraser roads and those present said even RJD’s Garib Rally and Lathi Rally of March 1996 and April 2003 paled in comparison. Some went to the extent of comparing it with Jayaprakash Narayan’s post-Emergency public meeting at the same venue on January 30, 1977, when he had called for or total revolution.
“I will rest only after Bihar gets the special status,” declared Nitish to deafening roars of support. He said Bihar MPs would play a decisive role in the formation of the next government at the Centre and that “our main poll plank will be special status for Bihar”. He appealed to the PM to form a committee to change the formula under which the special state status is granted to states. He also regretted that the PM hasn’t yet given him an appointment to discuss the issue.