Vote for a Gandhi, get a Vadra—free!

I’m afraid this is going to be a bit of a cut and paste job, with a string of quotes, but they are eloquent. Let me start with two: “I suppose I could have stayed at home and baked cookies and had tea…”

“But when I’m not here in Amethi—and I’m here only during election campaigns—I go to Khan Market to buy my groceries, look after my kids, make them cupcakes. That’s what I do. I am not involved in the political process.”

The first one is the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, not being defensive about what she is. There are no prizes for guessing who the second is. Clue: it is from someone who is not involved in the political process. Someone who says things like: “My brother is far more astute politically, than I am. And his understanding of social and economic issues is way above mine... And he has a very strategic mind… is a very sophisticated thinker; he has a brilliant mind. He is quiet, so you don’t get to know about it, but sooner or later I think people will see that.” (From an interview to a newsweekly in the middle of 2009; unless my definition of brilliant is radically different, Rahul, 41 or thereabouts, has managed to hide that alleged brilliance, brilliantly.)

And: “He is one of the cleanest people I have ever met. He is someone who is completely comfortable in his own skin; he does not get carried away by anything.” (That was about Robert Vadra, and no, it’s not from some soap commercial.)

And: “I am actually inspired by what my brother is doing… What he’s trying to do in the Youth Congress is going unnoticed, but will actually revolutionise politics. First, by bringing honest, young, fresh people into politics, giving them an opportunity to come in without knowing somebody, and without being someone’s son or daughter.” (Notice carefully, clause actually does not apply to brother-in-law).

Here is a bunch from Robert Vadra, who has made more headlines in his brief foray into UP than all of Rahul’s campaigns there put together: “I’ll only fight an election when I think it’s correct, if I can make the difference, in whichever constituency I represent. But this is not the time for me. This is the time for Rahul. We should focus on Rahul.”

“I mean it (politics) is in the family… We will see what happens. We will leave it open and we will see how it goes.” “Yes, there is always a push for me to join politics…” And: “That calling (politics) will come at some stage, I feel… Being associated with a political family, I can’t sideline it or run away from it.” In another television channel: “I’m here for the family. It is a family business in another way…”

The last word goes to (as it should) Priyanka, in her role, not as a cupcake-maker but as spin-meistress: “Yeh aadmi kuch gol mol sawal kiya hoga aur phir uska aapna hi uththar nikala hoga. Robertji bahut khush hai apne vyapaar mein. Aur mere khyal se voh yehi kehne chah rahe honge.” Loosely translated, that would mean: “You (the media) obviously asked Robertji a trick question, and then twisted the answer to suit your convenience. Robertji is very happy doing his business.” (Or is it: “minding his own business”?) Bad media, terrible media, down down media! Rabartji, Helloooo, Rabartji, are you listening?

sudarshan@newindianexpress.com