Rahul's resurgence signals willingness to take on mantle

New Delhi, May 10 , 2015: With a string of salvos fired at the Modi government since his return from a sabbatical, a combative Rahul Gandhi is being seen among his party leaders as a force behind "turning the tide" for a Congress that is desperate to regain its relevance vis-a-vis the country's realigned political equations. While the Gandhi scion's resurgence, say political analysts, is his attempt to "assert" within the party his leadership that faced simmering opposition, it is also a signal that he is willing to take on the mantle. H.K. Dua, former editor-turned-MP, said the Congress vice president's elevation is not a distant reality and he was convinced he will become the party chief "very soon". "He is showing a lot of energy in and outside parliament, and his leadership in the party is certain. Irony, controlled aggression and a bit of humour, he is displaying it all. The government is on the defensive on the farmers' issue," Dua told IANS. Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha said the return of his leader has infused a new lease of life in the party. "The party is buoyant and enthusiastic and going forward. Gandhi has turned the tide completely. The Congress is communicative now," Jha told IANS. Both outside and inside parliament, Gandhi is piloting the party with scathing attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his "suit-boot sarkaar", the gibe by the Congress leader that triggered a "soojh-bhooj ki sarkar" response from Finance Minister Arun Jaitely.