Purely in terms of a visual experience, the spectacle is guaranteed to warm even the most despairing Congress heart. Men of all ages rush madly to catch a glimpse, women jostle with one another from the balconies of every house that lines the street, and rural boys and urban girls eagerly reach out for a handshake they will talk about for the rest of their lives.

Yes, Rahul Gandhi — interspersing his chopper rides with road shows in kasbas and interior villages of western Uttar Pradesh over the last two days — definitely has star appeal. And if body language is anything to go by, he has certainly come a long way since his first hesitant foray into public life exactly three years ago during the Lok Sabha elections in UP.

Sitting comfortably atop the carrier of his SUV (Captain Satish Sharma always at the wheel), Rahul reaches out to grasp a hand thrust his way, throw back garlands at the children running alongside, and smile and wave incessantly at the thronging crowds. Mesmerised by the sight of their leader being feted as though he were a 16th century Mughal prince or a 21st century film star (or both), Congress workers now believe that the party could win around 60 to 70 seats — and all thanks to “Rahulji”.

But if you stand a little away from the throng, or arrive earlier than Rahul and leave after his chopper has taken off, you soon discover that the reality is not quite as rosy. Sure, Rahul’s drawing enthusiastic crowds. But except where the Congress has a strong local contender, his meetings — like a summer shower — leave no lasting impact and are unlikely to change the fortunes of the Congress this time around. And there is no dearth of voices to explain just why.

... contd.