Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
Rahul Gandhi was earlier known as someone frequently mocked, called names, and doubted by rivals and even some of his own party members for not being a ‘suitable’ leader. But a rite of passage was initiated when he took full charge of his Twitter handle and introduced Pidi, his dog, to the world. His one-liners, puns, and sarcasm directed at the BJP instantly became social media hits.
With his own ‘hugplomacy’ in Parliament working as a game-changer, the Congress President Rahul Gandhi gradually impressed voters in three Hindi heartlands.
Here is a look at some of his punchlines, speeches and expressions that eventually became iconic.
“You have anger and hatred for me in your heart. You can use abusive language and call me Pappu. But I don’t even have a strain of anger or hatred for you in my heart. I am Congress. And you should never forget that this very sentiment of love has built this nation. And all of you have this sentiment of compassion within which I will definitely make you realise.”Rahul Gandhi, President, Congress
On waiving farmers’ loans right after winning 5 states in Assembly Elections
“Farmers of India, don’t worry, your problems are going to be solved. We’ll keep fighting them [BJP] and won’t let them sleep unless they waive farmers’ loans. We have fulfilled our promise in three states, and we’ll pressurise Narendra Modi to do the same in states which are under him [BJP].”Rahul Gandhi, President, Congress
When his ‘Chowkidaar chor hai’ became his favourite punchline.
“’Friends I don’t want to be your Pradhan Mantri (Prime Minister) but your Chowkidaar (Watchman).’ It turned out that the pradhan mantri is indeed a chowkidaar but he is serving Anil Ambani. The watchman was actually complicit in robbery of Rs 20,000 crore.”Rahul Gandhi, President Congress
When he made GST popular as ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’.
“If we come to power, we will change the Gabbar Singh Tax to what the real GST is meant to be. We want to run the government by listening to your ‘mann ki baat’.”Rahul Gandhi, President Congress
When he slammed BJP in UP’s Unnao rape case.
“Modi ji introduced the slogan ‘Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao’. The real slogan what he really meant however was, ‘Beti Padhao, aur BJP ke MLA’s se bachao’ (Educate the girl child and save her from BJP’s MLAs).”Rahul Gandhi, President, Congress
When he hit out at the PM for demonetisation:
“He (Narendra Modi) said, ‘I will deposit 15 lakh rupees in every account’. Brothers and sisters, tell me, did you get the amount he promised? Is there anyone present here who has received even Rs 5 from Modiji? Did you see any rich person standing in the long lines which had to be made after ‘demonitisation’? Modi ji turned all the black money into white for all the thieves in this country, and pushed you instead to stand in those lines.”Rahul Gandhi, President, Congress
And when he made his speech after the big win in the Assembly Elections of 2018:
“I was speaking to my mother yesterday, and I was telling her that absolute best things for me was the 2014 [Lok Sabha] elections. Narendra Modi taught me what not to do. Five years ago he was handed a huge responsibility to transform this country. He refused to listen to the heartbeat of this country because certain amount of arrogance came in which I feel is fatal for a politician.”Rahul Gandhi, President Congress
From losing 11 states in 2014, to stepping into the big leagues in 2018 with 5 big states in his kitty, will Rahul’s newfound oratory convince voters in 2019?
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