A CONVERSATION ACROSS THE POLITICAL DIVIDE

Rahul Gandhi's interview of former governor Satya Pal Malik raises more questions than answers. More than what was said, it was who and why that mattered

- SUGATA SRINIVASARAJU

WHY is Rahul Gandhi doing what he is doing? Why did he interview Satya Pal Malik of all people? Was it another random exercise or is there some careful thought that has gone into it? Does it have some strategic potential or is it a desperate move to get attention? These are questions that would come to anybody who is keen to understand what the Congress party in particular, and the opposition in general, is trying to assemble before the 2024 general elections.

Malik is after all a person who was on the other side until recently. Not long ago, the ruling establishment had enough confidence in him to give him a gubernatorial assignment. He must have done something right to earn their trust at that point. He must have at some level shared their worldview if not traversed on their ideological path, step on step. Why else would a regime that is known to be fastidious in its vetting process pick someone who would embarrass and challenge it at a later point?

Malik is like any political figure who changed his or her allegiances. In the Congress, too, many went over to the other side, such as Ghulam Nabi Azad, Himanta Biswa Sharma, Jyotiraditya Scindia and other prominent dozens. When they spoke about the situation within the Congress or their disagreements with Rahul Gandhi in particular, those versions of the truth, it was said, lacked a ring of credibility.