Bengaluru: You would have heard the saying “When Rome was burning, Nero was fiddling”. 

In the present-day context, this saying would suit no other politician better than former AICC president Rahul Gandhi himself. 

While you might be aware that his party has planned nationwide protests against the Modi government (for his policies with special focus on economic crisis, unemployment, farm distress and the "adverse" impact of the proposed RCEP agreement) from November 1 to 8 by holding 35 press conferences, reports state that Rahul Gandhi has flown abroad. 

Reports add that he will be abroad probably for a week and return later and join the protests. 

BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao reacted thus, "Where does he get money to spend on his lavish tours? These are the answers people of India want to know. India is not a tourist destination. He lost Amethi. Does he want to do the same in Kerala as well?”

Incidentally, this is not the first time the leader is deserting the party at a crucial time. We may also add that he left for Bangkok and vacationed even as there were only a few days left for the states of Maharashtra and Haryana to go to polls. Though he returned and engaged himself in campaigns, they were devoid of life and were taciturn. 

We may add again that on the day of counting in relation to the state elections of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh in 2017, he was watching a movie Star Wars at a theatre in New Delhi. He was ripped apart on the social media as #AreYouSeriousRahul was trending and as they questioned his intention. 

Such flippant and facetious behaviour by Rahul Gandhi has left other seniors bewildered and gasping for answers. Though a few party seniors like Abhishek Singhvi have tried to save themselves from the embarrassment, the writing is clear on the wall. 

It is also pertinent to note that the former AICC president has left the grand old party ferreting for answers with his unchecked statements. His attribution of chowkidar chor hai comment to the Supreme Court earlier this year was extremely naïve and he was forced to issue an unconditional apology to the top court. 

In an affidavit, he said, "Unconditional apology to the Supreme Court for unintentionally and inadvertently linking SC order in Rafale review plea to his "chowkidar chor hai" political jibe against PM Narendra Modi."