Panaji, Oct 25 (IANS): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's image is a product of a media spin and he has absolutely no connect with the masses, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) president Anurag Thakur said here today.
Thakur, an MP from Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur constituency, also said that the results of the ongoing elections in Bihar would expose the disconnect between the celebration of the 40-year-old Gandhi scion in the media and the stark ground-reality. The youth leader was speaking to reporters in Panaji as part of the party's 'India First' campaign.
"I will ask you a simple question. Apart from the media where else is Rahul Gandhi popular," Thakur said, when asked if the 'India First' launched by the BJYM to create nationwide awareness on the situation in Kashmir was in response to Rahul Gandhi's whirlwind all-India tour, which was widely reported.
Asked to elaborate on the nature of media spin being used to promote the Congress general secretary, Thakur said: "I can give you my views, but it depends on what kind of space you give me in your paper."
Thakur also said that the Bihar polls would serve as a litmus test of how truly Rahul Gandhi's tours across the country had captured the popular imagination. "Wait and see. The Bihar results are going to be out soon. That will tell you about the popularity of Congress' yuvraaj (prince)," Thakur said.
The first round of Bihar assembly elections took place Oct 21 and the second was held Sunday. Four more rounds of polling will take place Oct 28, Nov 1, 9 and 20. Votes will be counted Nov 24.
