But seriously Rahul,? what is the “point in talking” when you are not making sense
A measure of how much in the stone age the Congress has been operating in lately is illustrated by this inspired news story faithfully carried by the Hindustan Times.
The story starts with
The first whiff of change is beginning to be felt in the AICC with Rahul Gandhi?s induction as general secretary. From now on, there will be no long-winded treatises or delayed reactions on important issues
Makes one wonder what the Congress media cell and Spokespersons have been busy to date.? Should not be hard to imagine if one goes by this remark
??He came up with a new and fresh approach,?? said a member.
?
So what pray is this “new and fresh” approach.
The Amethi MP wants things to be short, snappy and quick. He wants them spelt out as ?talking points? and ?bullets? in booklets so that they are easily understood by people in general and party workers in particular and get across effectively to the media.
?
It appears that the Congress is finally waking up to the perils of having a verbal gymnast in Abhishek Singhvi and a loudmouth in Jayanthi Natarajan for spin meisters.
So how does the “not so young anymore” Gandhi propose to achieve this.
The main focus of the 90-minute meeting was on putting in place a mechanism for quick responses and effective coordination between Depco, the media and computer departments and the party?s mouthpiece Congress Sandesh ? the four key publicity departments represented on the panel.
So what is this “Depco” ?
The Department of Policy Planning and Coordination (Depco)
For those who may have a short memory the following Offstumped refresher is in order.
On July 28th 2004 the Congress attempted?a makeover, cosmetic one much like the present attempt, by renaming party?s high-profile department of policy planning and coordination, better known as Depco, as ?research and reference department?. The press interpreted the move as a downgrade of this department. But the real comedy begins the day after with Sonia Gandhi feigning ignorance of the move.
Why is this significant ?
It is significant because the Depco was essentially a creation of Sonia Gandhi in 2000 as a sort of professional organ that would provide the leadership with informed inputs for political decision-making on issues of concern to the party, including legislative matters.
By August 2004 an embarassed Sonia Gandhi spiked the move to rename Depco given that it was drafting most of her speeches.
One wonders if the speech at Jhajhar on the Indo-US Nuclear Deal that rankled the Left was authored by the Depco as well. Even if it were so we probably wont hear of it for then Rahul Gandhi would be in the cross-hairs of the left for getting “snippy” while trying to be “snappy”.
But the real concern with Rahul Gandhi’s talking points is
apart from being “snappy” and “quick” will they make sense
or
will we see?a repeat of the foot-in-the-mouth syndrome that was abundantly evident during the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.
Either way it will be an interesting internship for the “not so young anymore” Gandhi !
Filed under: Uncategorized
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““not so young anymore” Gandhi !”
Would you stop saying that! You remind me of that every time I read it
“Rahul Gandhi wants talking points”
Speechwriters, eh ?
Yup, hum jeetenge aur modi losenge
Chandra – so its working
Wen – losenge toh sahi
Some more Jucy notes :
1. “Rahul accompanies mother Sonia to a function in New York City .Newly appointed Congress General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi seems to be making appearances in all the places that matter and doing everything to prove himself the rising star of his party.
(http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=3159)
– Brand Rahul goes global
2.”Rahul Gandhi is not listed as a speaker at any of her engagements, but is likely to be present at both meetings, and during her interaction with other leaders at the UN. Although nobody in the Congress is willing to speak publicly about the trip, the significance of Rahul Gandhi accompanying his mother to the US is not lost on anybody.
”
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1123957
3.”Insiders said the strategy is to pitchfork Rahul in a leadership role while thrusting the party’s pro-poor credentials in focus in view of the possible mid-term elections. ”
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Build-up_around_rural_job_scheme_continues_party_hails_Sonia_Rahul/articleshow/2415194.cms
4. “We are looking to draw a holistic party programme as it sees India a decade from now, if not 20 years,” an authoritative source said. He added the party might release the document ahead of elections. “group to look into future challenges and opportunities”
Congress is working on a so-called ‘vision document’ — the ‘big picture’ — that would be the political compass for the new leadership, even as ideas are being tested for a slogan which could serve as its emblem.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Party_looking_for_a_slogan_to_hardsell_Rahul_Gandhi/articleshow/2423318.cms
5.”Rahul Gandhi’s dynamism acted as a catalyst in the process, this is an instance of inclusive democracy,” –Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi
“inclusive democracy” ????
— NAGESH BHUSHAN
There you go Yossarin. Use “woh losenge” Rahul! He makes the bumbling Bush a shakespeare of English language.
[...] than a month back when the Congress with great enthusiasm celebrated the arrival of its heir apparent Rahul Gandhi with juvenile cricketing metaphors, more than one Congressman [...]
[...] than a month back when the Congress with great enthusiasm celebrated the arrival of its heir apparent Rahul Gandhi with juvenile cricketing metaphors, more than one Congressman [...]
[...] time something new is promised as coming down the road and then nothing happens. First it was about talking points, then it was about booklets, and then it was about merit and accountability and now inner party [...]
I had previllage of being read and replied by Late Rajivji and now soniaji too.I wish to share lot with Mr. Rahul now. May I get his Email to send my views?
[...] on you Rahul, We always knew you wanted talking points, your mother has not been very good at coming with some lines of her own either so isnt it high [...]
[...] on you Rahul, We always knew you wanted talking points, your mother has not been very good at coming with some lines of her own either so isnt it high [...]