Former Congress stalwart Shakil Ahmad dropped bombshells in an exclusive IANS interview, questioning Rahul Gandhi’s fitness to lead amid the party’s string of defeats. From Delhi, he dissected Rahul’s communication gaffes, leadership insecurities, and preferential treatment of sycophants.

Defending Rahul’s intellect, Ahmad attributed the ‘Pappu’ tag to language barriers—English thought process clashing with Hindi delivery—unlike Sonia Gandhi’s remarkable adaptation or Manmohan Singh’s Urdu speeches. Yet, he stressed Rahul’s filtered interactions limit his understanding compared to Sonia’s broad engagements.

Rahul’s insecurity manifests in avoiding seasoned leaders who predated his rise, preferring novices who chant his name, Ahmad claimed. This has fractured the party, failing to forge Rahul’s version of Congress post-Sonia’s unifying era.

Arrogance defines Rahul’s dealings, evident in sidelining Shashi Tharoor during president polls despite Ahmad’s inclination to vote for him. Nehru-Gandhi trio dictates leadership, creating confusion among cadres.

Priyanka stands out with her speeches resonating deeply, embodying Indian values authentically as a native-born, Ahmad noted. Family decides leadership, but Rahul’s control raises questions on promoting her.

Bihar’s rout? Factionalism, poor candidate choices, and Rahul’s last-minute Constitution-waving and caste invocations rang hollow to voters. Congress’s Muslim strategy hinges on Modi backlash, maintaining national No.2 status.

Ahmad highlighted contradictions: pro-Dalit rhetoric belied by upper-caste inner circle. He appealed to retain talents like Tharoor, Chidambaram, Pilot, fearing their isolation.

Delhi’s blank slate and Bihar woes signal urgent reforms. Ahmad’s insider perspective calls for Rahul to shed arrogance, integrate experience, and reconnect genuinely for Congress resurgence.