<p>Each time you watched Rahul Gandhi take to the stage during his Gujarat election campaigns and explain before a waiting crowd that the GST is nothing but &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39;, you must have wondered what&#39;s wrong with the man. You must have got curious to know which school Rahul Gandhi got his economics lessons from.</p>

<p>However, let me tell you he is perfectly all right and that he is got his lessons from the best school of a politician - the dusty by-lanes of Indian politics.</p>

<p>Politics is all about reaching out to the masses and making an everlasting connect with them; it&#39;s a bonding made stronger with deft communication, apt vocabulary and noisy rhetoric. The greater your ability to connect with the rank and file of the profanum vulgus, the better is your chances in politics. Add a bit of theatrics and voila! You&#39;ve got what it takes.</p>

<p>After 17 or so defeats in successive elections, Rahul Gandhi now seems to have learnt the ropes. Many political observers and analysts believe that Rahul has found his tongue. He&#39;s discovered the art of communication, at least to the best of his limitations. &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39; serves the best example.</p>

<p>GST brought with it two &#39;miseries&#39; to the common people; the first, disruption in normal economic activities of the small traders and second, complexities. Close on the heels of demonetisation, GST brought another commotion in the life of the common man, especially small traders and businessmen. They&#39;ve their experiences to believe GST is bad but the government has its data to prove it&#39;s good. In the scenario, a clever politician knows that theoretically speaking, GST can&#39;t be opposed. It can be defeated only through canards and polemics.</p>

<p>A polemic of lies and derision is the best anecdote to constructive ideas.</p>

<p>&#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39; invented that polemic of lies which the disgruntled aam aadmi was looking for and Rahul Gandhi made the most of it. The masses were exhilarated at the description. Each time Gandhi twisted the microphone and uttered the phrase &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39;, the crowd went berserk in jubilation. He knew he had given expression to the anger of the millions. He didn&#39;t know himself what it exactly meant. He need not, either. His job was done.</p>

<p>No amount of pedantic discourse or academic description can destroy the effects of a &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39; narrative. Today, no one remembers what Arun Jaitley said to counter the Gabbar Singh jibe, though he said all those academically correct things. Yet, people only remember what Rahul said. And that&#39;s the art of making a connect.</p>

<p>A good many people are disenchanted in some way or other and a section of media has worked overtime to prove that the government policies are anti-people. Mainstreaming the cash economy and forcing people to live in transparent glasshouses has its own challenges.</p>

<p>The political wisdom says a politician must use the situation to the best of his abilities. Hence, the Congress has exploited the disenchantment of the masses to the best of its ability and fed on the ignorance of the people. Gandhi knows that the aam aadmi, like him, has no appetite for facts or analysis nor it believes in lengthy explanations. The common man needs off-the-shelf concepts, and few catchphrases, to describe his pent up emotions. The &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39;, fits the bill precisely. In this political campaign, the government hit the hustings with facts, figures and analysis and it lost audience. The Congress hit the campaign with polemic and lies and it struck an instant chord with the masses. The media, always hungry for the catchphrases, multiplied the effect.</p>

<p>In the post-truth politics, what matters more is perception and catchphrases do wonderful jobs in shaping perception. It may be a lie or bullshit is another matter. Politics, anyway, is never about teaching the truth. Nor it&#39;s about accountability. Misleading the masses is intelligent so long it fetches votes. And, Gandhi needs votes.</p>

<p>So, you thought &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39; is a sheer bullshit. But then you thought of university economics. For politics, &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39; is an intelligent theorem. It fetches votes. As I said earlier, economics is the best means to harness politics. Hence, no wonder if the &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39; catchphrase enables the Congress and its new chief recover some of the lost grounds in Gujarat.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


Each time you watched Rahul Gandhi take to the stage during his Gujarat election campaigns and explain before a waiting crowd that the GST is nothing but 'Gabbar Singh Tax', you must have wondered what's wrong with the man.

Each time you watched Rahul Gandhi take to the stage during his Gujarat election campaigns and explain before a waiting crowd that the GST is nothing but 'Gabbar Singh Tax', you must have wondered what's wrong with the man. You must have got curious to know which school Rahul Gandhi got his economics lessons from. However, let me tell you he is perfectly all right and that he is got his lessons from the best school of a politician - the dusty by-lanes of Indian politics. Politics is all about reaching out to the masses and making an everlasting connect with them; it's a bonding made stronger with deft communication, apt vocabulary and noisy rhetoric. The greater your ability to connect with the rank and file of the profanum vulgus, the better is your chances in politics. Add a bit of theatrics and voila! You've got what it takes. After 17 or so defeats in successive elections, Rahul Gandhi now seems to have learnt the ropes. Many political observers and analysts believe that Rahul has found his tongue. He's discovered the art of communication, at least to the best of his limitations. 'Gabbar Singh Tax' serves the best example. GST brought with it two 'miseries' to the common people; the first, disruption in normal economic activities of the small traders and second, complexities. Close on the heels of demonetisation, GST brought another commotion in the life of the common man, especially small traders and businessmen. They've their experiences to believe GST is bad but the government has its data to prove it's good. In the scenario, a clever politician knows that theoretically speaking, GST can't be opposed. It can be defeated only through canards and polemics. A polemic of lies and derision is the best anecdote to constructive ideas. 'Gabbar Singh Tax' invented that polemic of lies which the disgruntled aam aadmi was looking for and Rahul Gandhi made the most of it. The masses were exhilarated at the description. Each time Gandhi twisted the microphone and uttered the phrase 'Gabbar Singh Tax', the crowd went berserk in jubilation. He knew he had given expression to the anger of the millions. He didn't know himself what it exactly meant. He need not, either. His job was done. No amount of pedantic discourse or academic description can destroy the effects of a 'Gabbar Singh Tax' narrative. Today, no one remembers what Arun Jaitley said to counter the Gabbar Singh jibe, though he said all those academically correct things. Yet, people only remember what Rahul said. And that's the art of making a connect. A good many people are disenchanted in some way or other and a section of media has worked overtime to prove that the government policies are anti-people. Mainstreaming the cash economy and forcing people to live in transparent glasshouses has its own challenges. The political wisdom says a politician must use the situation to the best of his abilities. Hence, the Congress has exploited the disenchantment of the masses to the best of its ability and fed on the ignorance of the people. Gandhi knows that the aam aadmi, like him, has no appetite for facts or analysis nor it believes in lengthy explanations. The common man needs off-the-shelf concepts, and few catchphrases, to describe his pent up emotions. The 'Gabbar Singh Tax', fits the bill precisely. In this political campaign, the government hit the hustings with facts, figures and analysis and it lost audience. The Congress hit the campaign with polemic and lies and it struck an instant chord with the masses. The media, always hungry for the catchphrases, multiplied the effect. In the post-truth politics, what matters more is perception and catchphrases do wonderful jobs in shaping perception. It may be a lie or bullshit is another matter. Politics, anyway, is never about teaching the truth. Nor it's about accountability. Misleading the masses is intelligent so long it fetches votes. And, Gandhi needs votes. So, you thought 'Gabbar Singh Tax' is a sheer bullshit. But then you thought of university economics. For politics, 'Gabbar Singh Tax' is an intelligent theorem. It fetches votes. As I said earlier, economics is the best means to harness politics. Hence, no wonder if the 'Gabbar Singh Tax' catchphrase enables the Congress and its new chief recover some of the lost grounds in Gujarat. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Anatomy of the 'Gabbar Singh Tax'

<p>As campaigning&nbsp;for the second phase of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-gujarat-assembly-elections-2017-bjp-remains-buoyant-congress-rides-a-wave-hardik-patel-does-some-heavy-lifting-26524" target="_blank">Gujarat assembly elections</a> wound up a while back, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-modi-to-visit-ambaji-temple-on-last-day-of-election-campaign-26500" target="_blank">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> went on to share his thoughts around his experiences and what he feels will be the imminent result of Gujarat polls 2017.</p>

<p>In a series of tweets posted from his official Twitter handle, the Prime Minister expressed his happiness on being able to &quot;travel across the length and breadth of Gujarat to seek the blessings of the people&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Campaigning for the Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017 ends. After three and a half years, I got the honour to travel across the length and breadth of Gujarat to seek the blessings of the people.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/940543703982018560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&quot;During my travels across Gujarat, the level of affection I have received from the people is unparalleled in my 40 years of public life. This affection gives me strength and motivates me to devote all my time for India&rsquo;s development,&quot; PM noted.</p>

<p>Mr Modi urged people of Gujarat to vote in &quot;record numbers on the 14th&quot; and facilitate &quot;an overwhelming majority&quot; for the party&quot; across the state.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I urge my sisters and brothers of Gujarat to vote in record numbers on the 14th. I call upon the people of Gujarat to not only give the BJP an overwhelming majority but also ensure that BJP wins in every polling booth across the state.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/940543974686654464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Targetting the Opposition, PM Modi tweeted that the &quot;opponents&quot; have had been spreading lies about Gujarat, Gujarat&#39;s growth and about him (PM Modi).&nbsp;</p>

<p>He hoped that the combined efforts of the party in the centre and the one elected in Gujarat will bring prosperity and development to the country. &nbsp;&quot;This 1+1 is not 2 but 11 and together we will take Gujarat to new heights,&quot; he tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">With the Government of India and Government of Gujarat working together, the strength rises manifold. This 1+ 1 is not 2 but 11 and together we will take Gujarat to new heights.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/940544185068699648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>PM Modi also tweeted about the significance of youth in India&#39;s bright future and noted that&nbsp;&quot;no Gujarati will let go of a golden opportunity of development of our youth and coming generations. The victory of BJP is a guarantee for a bright future.&quot;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am devoting my life for the betterment of crores of people of Gujarat and India. Have been fortunate to always get your blessings. I am sure you will continue to bless us in these elections too by voting for BJP.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/940544373955031042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The remaining 93 constituencies in Central and northern regions in Gujarat will go to polls in the second phase on December 14.</p>

<p>Counting of votes is scheduled on December 18.&nbsp;</p>


PM Modi also tweeted about the significance of youth in India's bright future

As campaigning for the second phase of the Gujarat assembly elections wound up a while back, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went on to share his thoughts around his experiences and what he feels will be the imminent result of Gujarat polls 2017. In a series of tweets posted from his official Twitter handle, the Prime Minister expressed his happiness on being able to "travel across the length and breadth of Gujarat to seek the blessings of the people". Campaigning for the Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017 ends. After three and a half years, I got the honour to travel across the length and breadth of Gujarat to seek the blessings of the people. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2017 × "During my travels across Gujarat, the level of affection I have received from the people is unparalleled in my 40 years of public life. This affection gives me strength and motivates me to devote all my time for India’s development," PM noted. Mr Modi urged people of Gujarat to vote in "record numbers on the 14th" and facilitate "an overwhelming majority" for the party" across the state. I urge my sisters and brothers of Gujarat to vote in record numbers on the 14th. I call upon the people of Gujarat to not only give the BJP an overwhelming majority but also ensure that BJP wins in every polling booth across the state. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2017 × Targetting the Opposition, PM Modi tweeted that the "opponents" have had been spreading lies about Gujarat, Gujarat's growth and about him (PM Modi). He hoped that the combined efforts of the party in the centre and the one elected in Gujarat will bring prosperity and development to the country. "This 1+1 is not 2 but 11 and together we will take Gujarat to new heights," he tweeted. With the Government of India and Government of Gujarat working together, the strength rises manifold. This 1+ 1 is not 2 but 11 and together we will take Gujarat to new heights. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2017 × PM Modi also tweeted about the significance of youth in India's bright future and noted that "no Gujarati will let go of a golden opportunity of development of our youth and coming generations. The victory of BJP is a guarantee for a bright future." I am devoting my life for the betterment of crores of people of Gujarat and India. Have been fortunate to always get your blessings. I am sure you will continue to bless us in these elections too by voting for BJP. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2017 × The remaining 93 constituencies in Central and northern regions in Gujarat will go to polls in the second phase on December 14. Counting of votes is scheduled on December 18.

I devote my life to the betterment of people of Gujarat and India, tweets PM Modi

<p>Zero voting was recorded at Gajadi village in Morbi district of Gujarat today as the locals, fed up with water shortage, boycotted polling.</p>

<p>While long lines were seen outside polling booths in Saurashtra and South Gujarat in the first phase of Assembly polls, none among the 1,000 registered voters in Gajadi turned up to cast vote, officials said.</p>

<p>The village, though situated in Tankara tehsil of Morbi, comes under Kalavad constituency of Jamnagar district.</p>

<p>The district administration said they tried their best to persuade villagers to vote.</p>

<p>&quot;Villagers had announced a few months ago that they will refrain from voting. Their main grievance was about water supply. Though the village is being supplied water through a pipeline, they claimed it was not enough and demanded another pipeline,&quot; said Morbi Collector and District Election Officer I K Patel.</p>

<p>&quot;Even today senior officials went to the village and urged them to cast vote. But no one turned up at the polling booth,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>&quot;When we told them there are plans to lay a new pipeline, villagers asked us to give the assurance on paper. As the model code of conduct was in place, it was not possible to give it in writing. Such an assurance on the day of polling would also set a wrong precedent,&quot; the Collector added.&nbsp;</p>


The district administration said they tried their best to persuade villagers to vote.

Zero voting was recorded at Gajadi village in Morbi district of Gujarat today as the locals, fed up with water shortage, boycotted polling. While long lines were seen outside polling booths in Saurashtra and South Gujarat in the first phase of Assembly polls, none among the 1,000 registered voters in Gajadi turned up to cast vote, officials said. The village, though situated in Tankara tehsil of Morbi, comes under Kalavad constituency of Jamnagar district. The district administration said they tried their best to persuade villagers to vote. "Villagers had announced a few months ago that they will refrain from voting. Their main grievance was about water supply. Though the village is being supplied water through a pipeline, they claimed it was not enough and demanded another pipeline," said Morbi Collector and District Election Officer I K Patel. "Even today senior officials went to the village and urged them to cast vote. But no one turned up at the polling booth," he added. "When we told them there are plans to lay a new pipeline, villagers asked us to give the assurance on paper. As the model code of conduct was in place, it was not possible to give it in writing. Such an assurance on the day of polling would also set a wrong precedent," the Collector added.

Gujarat elections: To protest water woes, this village boycotts polls