Rahul Gandhi Advised to Smile More, Be "More Desi"

New Delhi: It may be subtle but a change in stance hasn't gone unnoticed in Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi. From a confirmed backbencher who would let his colleagues do the dirty work of opposition MPs - raising slogans, shouting, boycotting, Rahul Gandhi is slowly showing signs that he may be evolving into a more hands-on leader. Although perhaps not as quickly as many would like to see.

NDTV has learnt of Mr Gandhi's meeting with an interesting mix of party leaders that took place last week when he was seen, for the first time, protesting outside Parliament, going even to the extent of sporting a black cloth over his mouth to signal the opposition is being gagged by the government.

"Just become more desi is what I advised him," said one MP, speaking to NDTV on condition of anonymity. The leaders at Mr Gandhi's conferral included former ministers Pawan Kumar Bansal, Chiranjeevi and Sanjay Nirupam. Explaining the desi context, they said they expounded on how it is unrealistic to survive Indian politics without understanding the nuances of caste, and figuring out how it impacts the larger political scenario. NDTV has learnt that actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi told Mr Gandhi, 44, that he should smile more - "Politics is also like acting," he is reported to have said.

A consensus view was that Congress leaders seemed arrogant. "Why don't you act more friendly with the media?" said one Congress leader to Mr Gandhi while another added, "You could put your hand on their shoulder."

Mr Gandhi, who is infamous for being stand-offish not just with the media but also his partymen, is said to have heard this all out patiently. At times, he did offer a defense like when his colleagues asked why he was averse to party functionaries joining him on stage during public meetings.

"Modi has 40 party colleagues on stage," they told him, explaining how it boosted their morale and helped cadres feel good. 'RG', as they all call him, barely has eight.

Mr Gandhi then replied that he does not dispute their advice but that the SPG that guards him would not allow this. "Manmohanji told the SPG not to listen to me," he said explaining why he was seen as more isolated compared to the PM.