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Amrit Dhillon

In politics, 21/2 years is an eternity. Long enough to let voters know what to expect if they vote you into power.

But not for Rahul Gandhi, 36, crown prince of the ruling Congress party and heir to the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. Since being elected an MP in May 2004, he has been nearly invisible.

Mr Gandhi has an impressive family pedigree. The son of Congress party president Sonia Gandhi, he belongs to a family of prime ministers - his father Rajiv, grandmother Indira and great-grandfather Jawarhalal Nehru.

His party had great expectations.  It has been losing its share of the vote in general elections and is terminally ill  in the key  state of Uttar Pradesh, which has  80 seats  in Parliament.

Mr Gandhi  was expected to  drag the party in Uttar Pradesh out of intensive care, inspire  party members with his youth and charisma and play a role in getting the party into shape for the 2009 general election.

But he has kept to himself and attended only to his constituency of Amethi.

Asked when he will take up a  party post such as general secretary, his reply usually is that he is 'still learning the ropes'. His mother's reply is invariably 'the decision is up to my son'.

Indian Express columnist Inder Malhotra  is scathing in his criticism.

'He's a completely hopeless case. His only achievement is that he has caused no offence to anyone and has fine manners. But he has shown no interest in politics or any inclination to roll up his sleeves and do some work.'

His defenders say he is taking his time to learn about India and its issues. A sincere, well-meaning young man, they say his long apprenticeship reveals a humility that is becoming.

'Everyone wants him to take on a post in the party, but it is up to him to decide when he is ready,' said party spokesman Ambika Sonia.

Detractors said the 'shy, schoolboy act' was being taken too far. They point to the fact that all his illustrious predecessors, including his Italian-born mother, have stood for something. Even his father Rajiv, who entered politics reluctantly to please his mother, got down to work  once he had taken the plunge.

'No one knows what Rahul stands for, what he embodies. He comes across as apolitical in a country that is intensely political,' said analyst Mahesh Rangarajan,  adding that, unlike his mother when she was in the opposition, Mr Gandhi has not visited victims of natural disasters or bombings.

During the July train bombings in Mumbai, he stayed at home. Despite  widespread farmer suicides caused by rural indebtedness, he has not gone to see families of the deceased.

Observers said the Congress party needed someone who could lead from the front and enter into political battle, but Mr Gandhi appeared to have no taste for this.

'He visits micro-credit societies and voluntary groups. To understand India, he needs to go to factories, farms and slums and sit down and eat with slum dwellers. There is no substitute for hard work,' said Professor Rangarajan.

Pressure on him from the party is mounting. Two senior leaders from Uttar Pradesh - Salman Khursheed  and Ashok Gehlot  - remarked last week that he should take on the post of party general secretary.

The remark was not meant as a criticism, rather a fawning plea that he should come forward and work his magic.

But the Congress party is so dependent on the Gandhi dynasty that no one dares utter a negative word about Mr Gandhi's apparent reluctance to get down to work.



Rahul Gandhi, the invisible crown prince of the Congress party