Former principal of St Stephen’s College Valson Thampu claims that he realized that Rahul is unfit for politics, when he came back to the campus years later, after becoming the vice president of the grand old party. Rahul joined the college in 1989, but moved to Harvard University soon after.

Thampu said, "Rahul, like his father Rajiv, was unobtrusive by instinct." "He is an exceptionally good human being. He means well. He wants to improve everything, including himself," Thampu said. "To me, he seemed like a lamb among wolves. (By the way, this, for God's sake is a metaphor and not a literal statement.)" Thampu wrote in an article.

Thampu writes at length to describe the characteristics of Rahul, which differentiate him from a spoiled brat. He recalled how there was no inconvenience in the campus, despite the scion of India’s first political family being part of the student fraternity. “Rahul, like his father Rajiv, was unobtrusive by instinct. It was as though he was unaware of the importance of being part of the Nehru clan.”

Rahul Gandhi being elevated as Congress president means 'achhe din' for us (BJP)," Union Minister Smriti Irani, recently said.

"He (Rahul) is confused. He does not know what he wants to do with his life, whether he wants to continue in politics. He has to answer to the people. Congress is confused because it does not know what it has to do with Rahul, whether to elevate him or marginalise him," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra had then said.

Rahul's famous 56-day sabbatical in 2015 gave his detractors more fodder to label him as 'on' and 'off' politician. He as a leader has failed miserably to sustain the aggressive stance that one expects from a man who is seen (at least by his party Congress) as the future prime minister.

By Premji