Thread by @BaluSreevidya

My views on INC, post Ahmed Patel.

Given the notion that it was AP who checked RaGa's style of politics from blossoming fully, some things that might change:

1. Politics

RaGa, as everyone knows is weaning more towards socialism. Maybe influence of his close coterie, but

clearly evident from his hasty visit to JNU in support of the Tukde Tukde gang, his love for reviving MGNREGA, and his style of agitation - farmers, students and dalits - typical marxist style.

His politics will show more of radical/revolutionary style than the GOP style

After all, CIA did manage to bring Mossadegh down through a mere student revolution, and RaGa must be thinking Modi is no big deal.

In terms of election politics, more agitations will be seen prior to elections of states/ LS than alliances and booth level work.

2. Media management

AP did a meticulous job in ensuring SoGa was NEVER mentioned in the Lutyen media.

It's the urban legend that no editorial around INC/ Gandhi family passes some of the media houses without a hotline chat with AP. I don't believe Lutyens would conspire

to launch and relaunch the Gandhi siblings relentlessly without being handsomely rewarded. AP was believed to have supported SoGa in getting this end.

AP was the Hindi news tracker. Doesn't look like RaGa has an equivalent in his coterie. This will be a disadvantage for INC.

Social media will be increasingly relied on by the new INC.

Although shocked by @narendramodi 's SM support, INC sharpened its claws with uncle Pitroda at the helms for bringing social engineering attempts with Cambridge Analytica.

In the coming years more social engineering and 'manufacturing dissent' can be expected.

3. Managing allies and alliances

AP was a genius in getting difficult allies to fall in line. AP was not a mere executor of strategy, but was a crafty architect of allies, a troubleshooter.

Biggest recent example is the realignment of Sachin Pilot. It was AP signature all over the orchestration.

In terms of allies, his roping in of SP to vote for the Indo-US Nuclear deal in 2008.

He was behind the 'MGB' in Bihar.

4. Chaperon

~ Has been the big force behind SoGa's political life

~ Has been the 'pusher' of RaGa (remember Baru's mention of how AP slipped a note into MMS's hand on continuation of MGNREGA)

~ Has been magnanimous in crediting PriGa of SP alliance in UP.

Was the force behind the untiring image building of all Gandhis including Rajiv.

AP relied mostly on 'insiders' whereas RaGa relies on his 'outsider' coterie. This will be a huge change to INC as I can say without hesitation that INC's life was on AP ventilator.

That RaGa has made Hardik Patel working President would have hurt the cool strategist that AP was.

If RaGa continues to project HP in Gujarat, then in the absence of AP, BJP will have another comfortable win.

AP was effective in garnering funds for INC, this will now be issue.

Overall, RaGa's free hand approach of 'manufacturing dissent' is dead against Ahmed Patel's simple old world approach to politics of 'manufacturing assent'

India will reject the unthrottled RaGa politics, and INC is on its way to doom.