Rahul, Priyanka face poll test after street protests

Congress’s vote theft campaign faces questions over public appeal, Opposition unity and leadership strategy ahead of crucial elections.

The true test of the street-level politics adopted by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and his sister, Priyanka Gandhi, will come during the upcoming elections in five states. The political activities the siblings undertook on the streets of Delhi last week over alleged vote theft made a few things clear. First, they appeared to be engaging in politics aimed at securing media coverage, prioritising staying in the headlines by any means necessary over maintaining decorum. Priyanka appeared to overshadow her brother Rahul in this regard. She employed tactics once used by lower-ranking leaders to gain prominence, such as lying down on the road, clashing with the police and taking selfies while forcibly boarding a bus. While Rahul Gandhi appeared to be pursuing a more serious brand of politics, he too was seen getting caught up in the scuffles alongside his sister. Consequently, other leaders held back, as Priyanka was already playing that role.