Rahul Gandhi, the son, is currently lampooned, mocked and caricatured. But is he stupid? Maybe not as much as he is portrayed.

There was a time when Rajiv Gandhi was seen as a political lightweight. That is putting it mildly. Mummy’s automatic, but utterly unprepared heir. His height of excitement as a pilot in Indian Airlines was either going off for a Chinese dinner or driving his uncle in-charge of security Gautam Kaul crazy with worry by taking a Piper or was it a Cessna from Safdarjang and dashing off to Dehradun. Avoiding security was a game Rajiv loved.

Politics left him stone cold. He would mock it all and say it wasn’t for him. He was so into aircraft and nothing else mattered.

Rajiv was a reluctant shikari and some weekend mornings would be spent in Gurgaon (a forest then) flushing out partridges. Rajiv never shot them on the ground, always waited till they flew and used a Remington over and under 12 gauge gun to get them. He seldom did.

His first round as Prime Minister was marred by a selfish kitchen cabinet that closed doors around him and cordoned him from the nation. You have to remember there was no web, no social platform, nothing but government owned radio and television and Rajiv was blinkered by his buddies. He made wrong decisions, relied on disinformation and couldn’t get past the coterie that had in thrall. It was pretty much a mess.

He was a damned decent bloke and if he hadn’t been killed, his next round would have been probably brilliant because he had wised up to the texture for politics and had plans for a nation on the fast track. Rajiv Gandhi in the comeback would have been a stronger and more savvy leader.

Sometimes, greatness thrust upon you makes the man and gives him his moment.

Rahul Gandhi, the son, is currently lampooned, mocked and caricatured. But is he stupid? Maybe not as much as he is portrayed. You don’t see your father blown up and your grandmother shot down without some gravel in your gut. No one can be so pathetic.

On the contrary, he has taken all the media hostility in his stride and sucks it up. That shows either a complete ignorance and inability to appreciate trends or a massive vat of patience and fortitude to wait till the time is ripe.

He is certainly going to be raked over the coals when he becomes Congress President. Hoots of jeering laughter will follow in the wake of the announcement. The old guard will squeal their indignation. The arrows of corruption will be let loose again. The attacks can be and will be ferocious and with the current public disaffection for the Congress per se, Rahul Gandhi will have to face several trials by fire.

What if he comes out of them scalded, burnt a bit, but forged in a new crucible?

The moment and the man again. Even the mouse roars. The rabbit growls.

I write this because I have just read a piece which underscores Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s joy if Rahul is selected. I would not celebrate prematurely. Next to it is another piece that says India deserves better than Rahul.

Neither piece says who? And how does one find the alternative?

We are a very fickle nation. We forget easily. We forgive even more easily.

Maybe he will be a flop. Like his father’s initial premiership. But the soft and spoilt Rajiv Gandhi came back hard and solid and almost statesmanlike. His comeback campaign, if you remember, was a chariot on fire.

But what if the persona is given a makeover. He chooses the right people, new faces, smart, slick think tanks and men and women of the 21st century ready to take India to the top of the ladder, to stop all the natterings over meaningless controversies and be counted for our incredible skills. Stop the noise, bring back the music.

Sometimes rank amateurs can spring a surprise.

You wouldn’t bet on it. Maybe not? Perhaps he will fall flat on his face.

His daddy didn’t. Hold that thought.