Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi poses with passengers at Lucknow airport on Thursday, December 24, 2015. (Press Trust of India photo)
Stating that Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has come a long way after his party's defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said he needs to further increase his aggressiveness to corner the BJP in Parliament.
Mr Chavan said that Mr Gandhi, besides speaking more in the Parliament, needs also to focus on his body language to improve his credibility among the masses.
"An effective use of the Parliament will further improve his credibility. Along with this, he needs to focus on his body language which can instil the party's ideas in the minds of people," he said.
"Since both the Houses are broadcast live, Rahul ji needs to speak at length over issues. A one-liner does not always work. He should continuously speak for 45 minutes to an hour," the former Union science and technology minister added.
He said the Parliament is the only option Opposition leaders have to raise issues.
"How do you work for people when you are not in power? You cannot simply call the Prime Minister and request him to reconsider a decision not favourable for masses. In such a scenario, the only option an Opposition leader has, is the Parliament," Mr Chavan told PTI.
Mr Chavan, known to be close to the Congress's central leadership, said Mr Gandhi will eventually be known for his thoughts and ideas put forward in the Parliament.
An explanation as to why the Congress opposes certain moves will connect him directly to the people, he said.
"While Sonia ji (Congress President Sonia Gandhi) prefers to meticulously plan her rally speeches as she is not very comfortable in Hindi, Rahul ji tends to take it little lightly because he is well versed with the language. This, at times, proves to be a lacunae which can be changed," he said.
He added people now tend to watch serious live debates of the Parliament and that Mr Gandhi needs to ensure they understand the reasons behind the Congress party's stand on various issues.