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Who is Rahul Gandhi?
Education
Rahul Gandhi completed his graduation from Rollins College in Florida, USA, after brief stints at New Delhi’s St Stephen’s College and the US’ Harvard University. He then did an MPhil from Trinity College, Cambridge, and then worked as a Management Consultant with Monitor Group in London for three years before returning to India, where he started his own technology outsourcing company Backops Services Pvt Ltd.
Political career
In 2004, Rahul Gandhi entered active politics and has been a member of Parliament since. As the general secretary of the Congress party, he had earlier been entrusted with the responsibility of the students and youth wings of the party.
During the second term of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government led by the Congress, Rahul Gandhi was in the news for trashing an Ordinance brought by the Manmohan Singh government for convicted legislators. Rahul Gandhi was also attacked politically in this tenure and suffered a major loss of public perception.
During the term of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, Gandhi became more active in politics and has been known for his sharp political attacks on the government. From opposing the Land Acquisition Bill brought in by the Modi government to attacking the government as a ‘suit boot ki sarkar’ his interventions have been visible and significant.
He has also attacked the government over lack of jobs, the Rafale scandal and farm distress during these five years.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi contested from two Lok Sabha constituencies — Amethi in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad in Kerala. His choice of a constituency in south India had come under attack from the ruling BJP, with PM Modi alleging Gandhi had been forced to contest from a seat that had Hindus in minority, as there was widespread Hindu anger against Gandhi’s party, the Congress. Gandhi lost Amethi seat to Smriti Irani but emerged victorious in Wayanad.
He is the most important leader of the principal Opposition party and a potential prime ministerial candidate in 2019 for the United Progressive Alliance.
Bharat Jodo Yatra
Rahul Gandhi launched 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' (unite India march) on September 7, 2022 from Kanyakumari to unite people and 'stand up to the hatred and violence.' The campaign lasted around five months and during that time, Rahul Gandhi walked 3,500 kilometres from Kerala to Kashmir. The Bharat Jodo Yatra is to help unite India, which the Congress alleges is being divided with increased polarisation in the country.
Rahul Gandhi considers the Bharat Jodo Yatra journey as a way to connect with the common people.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra had ended on January 30 in an opposition show of strength with leaders of several parties joining Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as he capped his ambitious 145-day journey.