The Rebranding Of Rahul Gandhi

The Congress's Bharat Jodo Yatra has the lofty aim of forging a narrative of unity against the BJP's divisive politics but it's also about rebuilding political capital for Rahul Gandhi

- Kaushik Deka

It’s a giant, moving Jamboree and in the middle of it, the cynosure of all eyes is Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Born to one of India’s most powerful political families but at a complicated distance from power himself, the Gandhi scion has been following an unusual routine since September 7. He has been walking some 20-25 km a day, with the media recording his progress diligently: 255 km by the 12th day, 511 by the 21st, and 700+ by the end of his first month on the road. He spends his nights in a container—17 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 8 feet high— mounted on a Tata truck. Equipped with an AC, freezer, bed, sofa, table, and an attached bathroom, the container is part of a mobile caravanserai of sorts. There are 64 other such containers, all of whom keep moving location with the padayatris as Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY) wends its way across India.

He wakes up early, finishes his breakfast, and starts walking by 7 am. After four hours, the yatra breaks for lunch, after which he tries to catch a nap, this time in another specially designed container. Occasionally, he goes out to visit important places nearby, interacts with groups of people or addresses press meets. At 4.30 pm, the second round of the walk begins, which often continues well past sundown. While he walks, the containers shift base to the end point of the day’s march.