New innings

On the eve of his decision to take over as party president, Rahul seems to have benefitted doubly by joining the game of image-making

It is heartening that after the longest-ever political apprenticeship, Rahul Gandhi has been sworn in as the 87th president of the Indian National Congress. The fifth member of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty is taking over the reins of the grand old party from his mother, Sonia Gandhi, who led it admirably for 19 long years. Rahul Gandhi bashers may welcome his coronation, but to his well-wishers, the timing has been impeccable. It is widely expected that he would begin his presidency with two defeats (Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh), as suggested by the exit polls. 

But political pundits believe he has now