Can marriage give Rahul Gandhi that edge?

In a recent meeting with voters organised for Congress‘ eternal hope Rahul Gandhi in Rae Bareli, an Indianism popped up. Amid all that talk about promises being made for his Lok Sabha constituency – or, as he put it, ‘karmabhoomi’ of both his ‘mothers’ (of the ordinary and grand-mum variety) – one curious soul decided to pop the question – about his marriage plans. It was a yorker that left everyone chuckling, including the 53-year-old bachelor. Prodded by his sister Mrs Vadra, Gandhi was a sport and replied, ‘Jaldi hi karni padegi.’ It’s doubtful, though, that he can muster up a ceremony before the polls end to impress pro-marriage voters.

Gandhi isn’t the only member of UPA – Unmarried Politicians Association. There’s Boris Johnson who tied the knot in office – and probably inside his office during Covid lockdown. Closer home, Bhagwant Mann, H D Kumaraswamy, Prafulla Mahanta and Virbhadra Singh, all took the plunge as sitting ducks, sorry, CMs. So, even if Gandhi doesn’t get the top job of the central government post-June 4, he could consider CMship, and then husbandhood. After all, one needs a steady job to start a family – even if one has the means to set up shop. Other bachelors and bachelorettes could also consider telling the nation: I can take care of you the way I intend to take care of my better half.