Elisha Pulivarti from Washington DC
Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi’s United State of America tour can be said a grand success, as he drew huge audience wherever he went. After his recent visit to the UK, Rahul tried to win over supporters from Indian Americans in the US. He is upbeat after Congress win in Karnataka assembly elections. He projected his Congress is a winning horse in the coming elections in India.
His 10 day long tour concludes by June 7, Wednesday. But his impact will linger on for several more weeks, as he appeared confident of taking on Prime Minister Modi in a series of electoral battles beginning later this year to April/May 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Rahul wrapped up his US tour with a large public meeting in New York where around 7,000 people gathered to hear him. In US standards, this is a big number. Right from his first meeting in San Francisco to Maryland, Washington DC, every of his meetings are well attended by those who want political changer in India.
Rahul told them that defeating BJP is not that difficult, but easy. “We have decimated, not just defeated, BJP in Karnataka and we will the same in coming 3-4 assembly elections and also 2024 Lok Sabha polls,” he said.
Rahul pitted Idea of India in two versions – one of Congress, of love and affection and another of BJP full of hatred and intolerance. “We’ve opened a shop of love in a street of hatred,” he told Indian Americans. Rahul won the hearts of minorities people who feel threatened by BJP rule.
Now, it’s PM Modi’s turn.
Now it will be the turn of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to counter this attack from Rahul Gandhi. Of course, Modi is coming to the US on a state visit – at the invitation of the US administration. He will attend a state dinner at White House on June 22 and address a meeting of Indian diaspora. President Biden host a dinner to Modi on South Lawns of White House to around 500 guests.
As if to offer some comfort to PM Modi, White House spokesman John Kirby on June 6, Tuesday, said “Indian democracy is vibrant”. This is contrary to what Rahul said, democracy in India is in danger. Indian Oversees Congress led by Sam Pitroda which hosted Rahul will also welcome PM Modi.
Pitroda, a friend of late PM Rajiv Gandhi made it clear that PM Modi as leader of 1.4 billion Indians would be welcomed by all Indian Americans in the US.
