NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – India’s Rahul Gandhi failed spectacularly to deliver a promised comeback for his Congress party in crucial state elections, casting fresh doubt on his capacity to become the next member of a storied dynasty to lead the country.
The Congress party flop in India’s most politically vital state was also a blow to the already-tottering government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, reducing his scope to re-launch reforms and reverse a slowdown in economic growth.
“It has been a disaster for the Congress, it’s an even bigger disaster for Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family,” political analyst Amulya Ganguli said as results came in from Uttar Pradesh and four smaller states that went to the polls.
“They were banking on success in these elections, hoping to get at least four out of five states. It has gone exactly the opposite way. It shows that there is no charisma left in the Gandhi family.”
With the count nearing its conclusion yesterday, the Congress party was trailing in fourth place in the big northern state of Uttar Pradesh (UP), which with 200 million people would be the world’s fifth-most populous country if independent.
It looked set to win about 28 of the state assembly’s 403 seats, a marginal improvement on its lacklustre performance there five years ago and far short of the 100-plus tally it had boasted Gandhi’s tireless election campaigning would deliver.
“NOT GOOD”
Congress sought to shield Gandhi from blame, arguing it was up to local lawmakers to convert his electioneering into assembly seats. But later, dressed in a long white Indian shirt and smiling in front of a crush of reporters outside the New Delhi residence of his mother, Sonia, Gandhi was humble.
“I accept responsibility for the fact that we did not perform well. After all, I was the main campaigner … the Congress party fought well, but the result is not good,” the 41-year-old Gandhi said.
After speaking to reporters, he walked back to his sister, Priyanka, who put an arm around his shoulders.
There was also mostly disappointing news for Congress from other states that went to the polls over the past month. It was defeated in Punjab and Goa, and neck-and-neck with a rival in Uttarakhand, where counting was still going on. In a small consolation, it won in the far-flung border state of Manipur.
Scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has ruled India for most of its 65 years of independence, Gandhi campaigned hard to revive his party in Uttar Pradesh, where it has not ruled for 22 years. He attended more than 200 rallies, slept in villagers’ huts and even grew a beard that gave him a more rugged look.
