In the turbulent corridors of Indian politics, Shashi Tharoor has a unique talent for stirring the pot. The Congress MP, known for his eloquent and often candid commentary, did it again this week by addressing the BJP’s favourite jibe against Rahul Gandhi – that of being a ‘nepo kid’.
While Tharoor attempted a nuanced defence of his party leader, his acknowledgement of the label itself sent ripples through the grand old party. It prompted a swift, coordinated, and defensive reaction from his colleagues who sought to reframe the entire debate.
What Did Shashi Tharoor Say About Rahul Gandhi?
Speaking at a recent event, Tharoor reportedly conceded that while Rahul Gandhi did have a privileged entry into politics due to his lineage, what truly matters is performance and public acceptance. He argued that voters ultimately decide a leader’s fate, not their surname. It was a classic Tharoor move: disarm a potent political attack by partially accepting its premise before pivoting to a broader argument on merit.
However, in politics, nuance is often the first casualty. The very mention of the term ‘nepo kid’ from a senior leader, even in defence, was enough to put the party on the back foot.
Congress Leaders Close Ranks: The Coordinated Defence
The reaction from other Congress leaders was immediate, and their playbook was clear: if you can’t deny the charge, universalise it.
A senior Congress functionary, speaking on the condition of anonymity, was quick to fire back. “To single out Rahul ji is absurd and hypocritical. Dynastic influence is not limited to the Congress party or even to politics. Look at Bollywood, look at the legal profession, look at major business houses. Are we going to call every Ambani or Adani a ‘nepo kid’?”
This talking point became the central pillar of the party’s defence.
Turning the Tables: Pointing Fingers at the BJP’s Own ‘Dynasts’
The argument rapidly expanded to point fingers directly at their chief accuser, the BJP. Congress leaders were quick to highlight instances of dynastic succession within the ruling party’s own ranks.
“The BJP loves to talk about the Gandhis, but what about their own house?” asked a Congress spokesperson. “How many sons and daughters of their own leaders are currently MLAs, MPs, or hold key party positions? From Rajnath Singh’s son Pankaj Singh to the late Pramod Mahajan’s daughter Poonam Mahajan, the list is long. Let’s not even start on Jyotiraditya Scindia, a proud dynast who is now a Union Minister in their cabinet.”
Another leader from the party’s media cell added that Rahul Gandhi has more than earned his stripes. “This ‘nepo kid’ tag is a lazy insult. This is a man who has walked 4,000 kilometres across the country to listen to the people. He has faced relentless personal attacks for two decades and has proven his commitment through sheer grit, not his surname.”
An Unsettling Truth: The Party’s Enduring Vulnerability
The Congress strategy is clear: deflect, dilute, and counter-attack. By highlighting the prevalence of dynastic succession across all spheres of Indian life, they aim to neutralise the charge and frame it as a non-issue.
Yet, Tharoor’s initial comment, however well-intentioned, inadvertently underscored the party’s biggest vulnerability. While dynasticism is indeed widespread, no other major party is so inextricably linked to one single family at its apex. The BJP can point to leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, who rose from grassroots beginnings, as proof of their meritocratic structure.
For now, the Congress has closed ranks. But Shashi Tharoor’s intellectual tightrope walk has once again highlighted the delicate and perpetual balancing act the party must perform when discussing its first family—a debate that is far from over.
