Rahul Gandhi's bid to put Modi government down backfires

Next time Rahul Gandhi addresses a college crowd in a metropolitan city, he will be doubly careful about what he says.

For his much-publicised address to the students of the Mount Carmel College in Bengaluru on Wednesday left him severely embarrassed, as the girls booed him when he questioned them about the success of "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" and "Make-in-India" initiatives.

Also read: When Bengaluru college students stumped Rahul Gandhi

Rahul took a dig at the Centre, saying the NDA was a "suit-boot" government and was faltering on all fronts. "With the Modi government, I don't see a clear direction, I hear a lot of talk. Are we serious? Clean your country is a strategic national government programme? Well it's not working, is it?"

"It is," said the students.

When Rahul pressed them further, "You see it working?", the "Yes" was louder than before. Rahul probed the students further by asking whether the Make-in-India drive was working. "You think Make in India is working?" The response was a mixed one this time making Rahul a bit uncomfortable.

Though Rahul was taken aback on both the occasions, he did not lose his composure and managed to defend his stand. This kind of response was not anticipated even by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee whose office-bearers appeared red-faced following the incident.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Gandhi answered questions unlike PM Modi and this is the way for the country's leader to interact.

BJP Secretary Sidharth Nath Singh said Gandhi's interaction should caution the Congress that the youth is not willing to accept "obstructionist and negative" agenda of the party.

Rahul Gandhi, however, took both the incidents in stride, and continued to attack the NDA government at the Centre. When he questioned Modi's style of functioning, including the PMO-centric decisions, the students appeared uninterested.

Several students, who were part of the gathering, admitted that their answer was not pre-planned. A student, who identified herself only as Neha, said, "We were informed by the management about this particular address by Rahul Gandhi and all of us had to strictly attend it. The answer given by the girls was impromptu. I don't think we should draw any political conclusions out of the students' reaction."

Another student Maithri said that the speech had more of political viewpoints. "Had he addressed issues relating to the youth and society, instead of attacking the PM, I think his speech would have been impressive. A majority of the students went with the flow and were honest in their reactions. We don't think there is any conspiracy here. They were just reacting to his questions," she added.

The KPCC, in particular, tried to cover up the PR mishap. "It was a routine address, as our leader is embarking on a nationwide tour to interact with the students. He did raise valid points concerning the nation. Of course, we cannot dictate the audience what they need to reply to our leader's address. If that's the way they see it, we have to respect it. Rahul was just presenting his case. He highlighted several issues affecting the nation and the student did nod in agreement," said a KPCC spokesperson.

To make matters worse, Rahul Gandhi's interaction with the students was televised in national and regional channels.