UNEASY LIES THE HEAD...

Rahul’s plans to revive the party come with a long list of challenges

1 Challenge Take full-time responsibility of the party What the party expects him to do Become the president

What he has done Rahul will contest elections for the post of party president in October; aides claim he will be seen in a different avatar 2 Challenge Strengthen the party in the states What the party expects him to do Nurture the state leadership, stop infighting, empower the block, district and booth committees What he has done A revival plan was drafted in February 2015, but no action taken

3 Challenge Restructuring the party’s top management What the party expects him to do Remove non-performing general secretaries, promote fresh talent

What he has done Some reforms have taken effect, more in line after October; Rahul has hinted at creating a team that blends the old guard and the young

4 Challenge Becoming an effective communicator What the party expects him to do Take political advice before making speeches and be more accessible to party leaders

What he has done Rahul’s aides say he is accessible round-the-clock on e-mail, but others refute the claim

5 Challenge Giving the party direction What the party expects him to do Make a consistent strategy to counter PM Modi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls

What he has done He is targeting the RSS, reaching out to Dalits, Muslims and small traders; plans to unite the Opposition