From naamdar to kaamdar: Rahul Gandhi the Challenger

Many political leaders have to overcome the hesitations of history to succeed. Rahul Gandhi not only had to do that but also overcome hesitations about his ancestry. Particularly being born into a great political family and the expectations arising from it. In the early stages of his political career, there were attempts to thrust greatness on him. When those floundered, it made him even more hesitant and cautious. His ancestry would become his albatross. The true evolution of Rahul Gandhi began when he realised that power doesn't easily beget power. Dynasts may inherit capital from their lineagewhether in name, reputation, aura or a sycophantic party machine. But if Rahul had to achieve the greatness that some of his forebears did, it was clear to him that he would have to earn his place in history the hard way. The Naamdaar (Dynast) had to become a Kaamdaar (a working man).

That realisation has transformed Rahul's personality from an impetuous, impatient and imprudent scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family into an intense, incisive