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This story is from April 22, 2015

Rahul's not anti-corporate, nor have we taken a Left turn: Deora

Milind Deora, former Mumbai MP who's openly batting for Rahul to take over as Congress president, tells Sagarika Ghose the party vice president's pro-farmer line doesn't mean Congress is anti-corporate or that the party has taken a Left turn.
Rahul's not anti-corporate, nor have we taken a Left turn: Deora
Rahul Gandhi's recent at tacks on the government have enthused Congress's Young Turks. Milind Deora, former Mumbai MP who's openly batting for Rahul to take over as Congress president, tells Sagarika Ghose the party vice president's pro-farmer line doesn't mean Congress is anti-corporate or that the party has taken a Left turn. After a decade in politics, it's as if Rahul is still on trial?
A politician's oratory, ability to connect, inspire people are important.
But sincerity and conviction are more important. This is a contrast between Rahul and Mrs Gandhi and the government. The government is making false promises. In less than a year people say it hasn't met expectations. Not just farmers and labourers, the corporate sector is also complaining. This farmers' issue is close to Rahul's heart. What you saw at the rally and in Parliament is what you'll see in weeks ahead, a consistent position which Rahul will demonstrate through action that he stands for the poor.
Why has Rahul shied away from leading the opposition in Parliament all this while?
The Leader of Opposition post has been denied to us.It's unfair to make parliamentary performance the only benchmark to judge Rahul. When he became vice president, his role broadened, he had to travel. Any national leader must travel. When Rajnath Singh was BJP president he hardly attended Parliament.
But why 3 speeches in 10 years?
His speeches have had an impact. When he raised the issue of sugarcane farmers in west UP, the state responded. You'll see a much more energized Congress, an energized Opposition, led by Rahul and Sonia Gandhi.
Is this a belated realization by Rahul that Parliament is important?
Rahul never felt Parliament wasn't important. He's passionate about the land issue and has been consistent.Why did the government take a U-turn when it supported the land Bill earlier? Why this ordinance?

What's the evidence that Modi's batting for his corporate friends? How does the anti-corporate line go down in a constituency like yours, South Mumbai?
Rahul is anything but antiindustry. He believes that under Manmohan Singh India created a middle class, which is India's pride, which has made IMF say India's growing faster than China. Rahul believes in science and technology and in IT. As for my constituency, Mumbai is asking where's acche din? Indus trialists are asking where's achche din? Businessmen are complaining of tax terrorism and lack of reforms.
As for evidence of corporate pressures on Mod, the proof is in BJP's U-turn.We haven't heard a single convincing answer to why BJP — which in 2013 worked with UPA to pass this historic (land) bill-made this U-turn.This is proof that BJP is batting for certain corporate groups. We're pro-corporate and pro-jobs, but we are profarmer, believe they can co-exist. BJP believes it's either or.
What if Rahul disappears again?
There was no disappearing act. That was a media creation. There'll be agitation on the streets and in Parliament led by Rahul.
Sandeep Dikshit said the majority wants Sonia, not Rahul, as leader...
We've not said leadership change is happening today. In any organization, leadership change is natural.The time has come for a generational transformation.Rahul is best suited to lead this change. We'll continue to utilize Mrs Gandhi's wisdom.
Kamal Nath said Congress is falling between two stools, Sonia and Rahul. Where's Rahul's roadmap?
I've seen co-ordination between them. BJP humiliated veterans. That doesn't happen in Congress... We have an internal strategy which will be implemented.
Are you comfortable with what's being called Congress's Left turn?
Land acquisition is the current issue. Tomorrow if we see jobless growth we'll demand jobs. If we see manufacturing slow down, we'll ask what's happening.Manufacturing, after agriculture, creates jobs. As for turns, right or left, the question is of the U-turn - BJP's U turns, its right-turn. They were against FDI in insurance and retail when we were in office. We believe industry is crucial, ease of doing business is important, but not at the cost of the farmer. What prompted BJP to promulgate an ordinance? After Rahul spoke in Parliament, Union ministers said on TV they're open to talking to Opposition on an amended legislation.
But Dikshit said the cadres don't want Rahul...
The cadre is convinced Rahul will lead. Sonia Gandhi will mentor. Sandeep is a good friend. But Congressmen should show restraint.
Rahul's become a figure of fun? Isn't this a handicap?
Things were said about his grandmother. She proved critics wrong. Much of this figure of fun is media spin and the work of a troll army paid by parties opposed to us.
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About the Author
Sagarika Ghose

She keeps a hawk's eye on shifting political sands

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