Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Made in Mandsaur’ pitch is same old same old

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Rahul Gandhi mentioned ‘Made in Mandsaur’ phones today. In 2014, he wanted Obama to wear a ‘Made in Mirzapur’ watch. In February 2017, it was Obama’s ‘Made in UP’ bedsheets. In March 2017, it was Michelle’s ‘Made in Jaunpur’ utensils. Besides zero ground traction, it shows lack of creativity.

RBI seems to be a one-trick pony

The RBI seems to have jumped the gun by raising interest rates by 25 bps, focusing more on inflation control than growth. Private investment in the economy has been sluggish and domestic consumption has only begun picking up. The rate increase, therefore, is not good news for the economy.

Will Rahul Gandhi’s promises find mention in Congress manifesto?

Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Mandsaur is the election manifesto of the Congress for the Madhya Pradesh elections. It will be interesting to see how many of his promises find mention in the final manifesto. But, have no doubts, he has set the agenda today. Waiting for the BJP’s response now.

Rahul Gandhi’s loan waiver promise is great politics, but bad economics

Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s mega announcement: If his party comes to power in Madhya Pradesh, it will waive all farm loans within 10 days. This makes for wonderful politics but bad economics. The issue that India’s politicians need to debate, instead, is how to make farming more profitable.

Mughal Sarai railway station is now BJP’s copycat junction 

What’s in a name? A lot of political symbolism, for sure. The age-old Mughal Sarai railway station was renamed after Narendra Modi’s favourite ideologue Deendayal Upadhyay. The Nehru-Gandhis have done this for long, now the BJP. Therein lies the rub. Copycat acts cannot pass off for policy. Whataboutery isn’t governance.