Tale of two modern Indian Princes

There is only one prince in the national level politics - Rahul Gandhi. And again, there is only one prince in the Andhra Pradesh politics - YS Jaganmohan Reddy. Both Rahul and Jagan have "illustrious" family histories. First of all, both the families are Christians. Rahul's father, Rajiv Gandhi was Prime Minister of India. Jagan's father YS Rajasekhar Reddy, was Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. If Rahul's family is the powerful political family in India, Jagan's family too is the powerful political family in Andhra Pradesh. If Rahul'a father was assassinated the LTTE, Jagan's father YSR was killed in a helicopter crash while on duty (though Jagan still believes that there was a huge conspiracy behind his father's helicopter crash)

Rahul's grandmother, Indira Gandhi was killed by Sikh bodyguards. Again, Jagan's grandfather was killed by factionists in Kadapa district. Rahul's cousin (Varun Gandhi), aunt (Menaka Gandhi), uncle (Sanjay Gandhi) mother (Sonia Gandhi), father (Feroze Gandhi), Grandfather (Jawahar Lal Nehru) were all MP's (Member's of Parliament).  Jagan's father (YSR), uncle (YS Vivekananda Reddy), mother (Vijalakshmi) and host of relatives by marriages etc were either MP's, MLA's or public representatives.

It is always rumoured that Rahul's family hold huge undisclosed amount's in the Swiss banks. Again, it is a open secret in Andhra Pradesh and amongst the Telugu Community that YSR, Son, Daughter & Co are worth at least Rs 20,000 crores. The bottom line is both the princes are filthy rich.

Rahul's Grandfather - Jawarlal Nehru was a Kashmiri Brahmin Hindu. His daughter Indira married Feroz who is of a Muslim / Parsi lineage. His father Rajiv married, Sonia - Italian Catholic. His uncle Sanjay married a Sikh lady. It is mini India plus a mini world. Jagan's great grand father was an Hindu Reddy but converted to Christianity. It is hard to know if YSR family is actually a Christian or Hindu. Jagan's sister married Hindu Brahmin converted Christian preacher. And most of the family marriages are between Hindu or Christian Reddy's. Hence is it mini integration.

Rahul minus Gandhi is like any average Indian without face. Despite all the hype, Rahul could not pull any magic in any one of the polls either in Bihar, Utter Pradesh, Gujerat. He is of no consequence in the states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala or West Bengal. Andhra Pradesh is slipping. Karnataka is on edge. Maharastra is offering mixed fortunes. But, Prince Rahul, the most eligible bachelor of India is still seen as a future Prime Minister of India. Well, he may as well become the next PM. Not because he got any great differentiators like his grandmother Indira, but only because the opposition BJP is in poor shape.

All the strategy to keep Manmohan Singh in stop gap, so that Prince could make a landslide is now looking like a misfired strategy. Like Tata, Birla, Ambani - Gandhi is always in reckoning for some time to come. Only feel good factor is - Prince is not in hurry because he knows any way, BJP could match even his skeleton strength of power / intellect. This is despite the fact, Rahul's reported comments with the US Ambassodor to India "Hindu fundamentals pose greater threat to nation than LeT, the Muslim terror organisation". In the nation of 80% Hindu's, Rahul comments would be accomodated (or forgotten) for the only reason because the BJP is not an alternative. The nation needs alternative but suffers from the leadership talent.

Jagan is the Prince in hurry. His father tasted the power, after 20 years in opposition or as a dissident in the congress party. The power came in time for Jagan. He tasted it at right age. Now power is sucking him. He cannot wait even one more day with out being the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The only difference for Jagan is - he is untested. Yes, when he won Kadapa - his father was at zenith of his power. It was a cake walk. Now, the first test comes - if he could win on his own and bring his unnamed party to the power? Unlike at Delhi, where the national prince is having the advantage of the weak opposition, Jagan is facing three strong opposition parties in Telugu Desam, Congress and TRS. Despite all these odds, if Jagan makes it to Andhra Pradesh Secretariat, he is the real life hero - the only one after iconic NTR.

Finally what is the track record? Rahul Gandhi, as an MP, did not have any track record in Parliament or outside. He never held an Public office. Similarly, Jagan as first time MP, did not show any Parliamentary acumen. Neither he held any Public office. In a nutshell both are raw.

Until the next ballot box is opened, both the princes will remain in limelight. And that is no surprise because, one is Gandhi and other is Reddy.