Will 'Brand Rahul' Work?

Congress has been out of power in UP, India’s most populous state, for more than two decades now and the party hopes for a good show after robust campaigning by Rahul and his young brigade in the state. The youngest in the Nehru dynasty questioned the credentials of the regional parties who he said derailed the giant state from the development track for the last two decades ever since Congress was ousted from power. Rahul was often heard talking in strident tones accusing the main opponents, chief minister Mayawati and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. He also spelled out a lot for Muslim quota to win the large community in the state.

He set his stage quite early visiting poor and staying at dalit households. Corruption was the center of his attacks on BSP and its chief Mayawati against whom Rahul has been on a persistent campaign lasting over the last three years. Congress, under Rahul, had began its campaign much earlier than SP and BSP and probably had the first mover advantage over others in the initial stages, which eventually increased. His attempt and strategies gave the week congress in the state a new energy and his promise of returning to the top political league over five years gave the party men reasons to cheer and new hopes.