To make matters worse, he appears to have taken the wrong track by focussing on the Congress's concern for the poor, which only confirms the government's inability to improve their lot.
This pro-poor line paid political dividends in Indira Gandhi's time when the prevailing destitution was higher than at present. But its reiteration now is, first, a criticism of the economic reforms and, secondly, a hint that the party's mother-and-son duo favour the paternalistic mai-baap sarkar concept of a state-controlled economy with its emphasis on hand-outs like the rural employment scheme and the food security law.
This is an attitude which will alienate not only the middle class but even Rahul's targeted audience of the underprivileged who want to do well in life as a result of a buoyant economy and not be dependent on official doles.
