Rahul Takes Charge

Despite being in public life for nearly a decade, Rahul Gandhi still remains an enigma (“The Rahul Raj”, October 14). He created quite a flutter reaching the Press Club of India unannounced and created a veritable storm in political and media circles in rubbishing an ordinance that would protect convicted lawmakers. There have never been any doubts regarding his ability to call the shots in the Congress. Rahul is more of a behind-the-scene worker than a flamboyant leader, leading from the front. So his in-your-face “complete nonsense” remark is a comeback of sorts for him and probably indicates the shift in the power centre within the Congress. VIJAY PANT, via email Rahul Gandhi, by virtue of being a Gandhi, has always had the kind of power he exhibited recently. He has very easily overruled the authority of the Congress high command, the Cabinet including the allies and of course undermined the office of the Prime Minister. Was it that he awoke to the evils of the ordinance after a gap of more than one month? Or did he realise that the Indian public and the President are not going to accept the same and the party will face a backlash in the coming elections? May be some of his well-wishers in his advisory suggested to him to make it dramatic and try to become a hero. I am sure Indians at large do understand this hypocrisy. NAVEEN SARONWALA, via email Rahul Gandhi deserves commendation for the courage he displayed in killig the bill even as convicted lawmakers simmered with resentment over the possible collapse of their domain. Rahul is also keen that political parties should be brought under the RTI ambit. The million-dollar question, however, is if Rahul will also compel the Congress to withdraw the RTI amendment bill, to be able to take the wind out of Modi’s sails. K.R. NARASIMHAN, Chennai

Rahul Gandhi coming down heavily on the ordinance to save convicted netas is a welcome move and a right step forward to cleanse politics. It is shameful how elected representatives think they are different from other citizens when it comes to the application of any law.

K.R. SRINIVASAN, Secunderabad