III. Thou shalt talk to the media
The moment Rahul Gandhi finished speaking on his adjournment motion in Parliament, he walked out and obliged the eagerly awaiting media with delectable sound bytes, adding to whatever had been left unsaid in the House. Expect more of these crisp and friendly interactions. He may not click selfies with the press but seems keen on a healthy, respectable and intellectual relationship with the press. To reach out, particularly to a captive audience of 24.3 cr internet users out of which about 20 cr in all, are on facebook, whatsapp and twitter, he shall engage on social media. His office has logged on to twitter and in the days to come this shall be taken to other social media platforms too where Rahul may engage more directly and conversationally. Traditionally, this has been and continues to be the weakest chink in Congress' communication armoury. Barring a Shashi Tharoor, who was a pioneer amongst Indian politicians when it came to using social media to reach constituents and supporters and a few others, the rest of the Congress party has been slow to adapt to new age digital platforms of communication. With the likes of Shashi Tharoor, who has been a "top influencer" according to the New York Times and a credible voice among the urban, middle class, second only to Modi in terms of online presence and following, Rahul has talented people within the party itself to set this part of the strategy right.
IV. Thou shalt calibrate one's political strategy carefully
Rahul's core convictions lie in creating an egalitarian society and one that aims at bridging the gaps between the Haves and Have Nots. His Zameen wapasi movement, his inclination to stand up for the workers and peasants that constitute over 60% of the population, his ideas of the state being a welfarist — all stem from his left-of-the-centre persuasions, which are in-sync with the Congress' traditional economic plank as well. But make no mistake, Rahul has done his political home-work and has far greater acumen than what many in the media may credit him with. He knows the importance of the middle class, urban and young voter, which secured Congress' victory in 2009 and Modi's victory in 2014 and whose aspirational instincts need to be tapped into again, especially after the disappointment that they feel in just eleven months of the BJP government's dismal performance. Don't be surprised if Rahul Gandhi from now speaks in a renewed aspirational lingo. Jobs and growth will go hand in hand with rights and empowerment.
V. Thou shalt stand steadfastly with liberal progressives and secularists
A large and influential section of the urban, middle class vote that supported Modi came from this liberal progressive and secular groups (LPGs) , that were disenchanted with the Congress and were taken in by the pro-development mask of Modi, ignoring his 2002 avataar. Eleven months later, after a series of bans, hate-speeches and attacks on churches, the LPGs have had it with the conservative and communal hangover of the Sangh parivar on Modi's government. Now, is obviously a time to engage this group and voice their concerns be it on environment, civil rights, individual choices and freedoms, censorship, privacy, gender equality, rights of sexual and religious minorities and many more issues.