For nearly two decades, the BJP’s master strategists systematically crafted and reinforced the "Pappu" narrative to caricature Rahul Gandhi, undermining his political ascent. However, the tide turned dramatically in 2024 with his transformative Bharat Jodo Yatra—a 4,080 km march from Kanyakumari to Jammu & Kashmir over 150 days, traversing 14 states and 85 districts. This journey reshaped his public persona from a ridiculed political figure to a serious contender, culminating in his elevation as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. His recent speech on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address further reinforced his new image, brimming with sharp critique, mature analysis, and policy alternatives.

A Scathing Indictment of Economic Policies

In his latest address to the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi launched a frontal attack on the government’s economic policies, particularly exposing the structural failures of the ‘Make in India’ initiative and India's over-reliance on Chinese imports. Experts say that Gandhi could drive home a strong point that far from making India a global manufacturing hub, the policy had faltered, leaving the country dependent on foreign, and particularly Chinese, supply chains. This, he systematically zeroed in the point that it had not only eroded India's industrial self-sufficiency but also posed a direct threat to national security.

Chinese Imports: An Economic and Security Challenge

One of the central themes of Rahul Gandhi’s speech was India’s growing trade imbalance with China. He tried tio prove his contention with the help of data and dwelt upon the border tensions and geopolitical........

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