Watching space Rahul

Congress party's score of 99 in the Lok Sabha elections has vaporised three painful questions dogging Rahul Gandhi for two decades. His record so far deserves a closer look

As Rahul Gandhi heads for the first full session of the third Narendra Modi government, he can take comfort in the fact that three painful questions dogging him for two decades have vaporised.

First, does the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — or should it — take the Congress seriously? Second, does it — or should it — take Rahul Gandhi seriously? And third, can you bring back to life a party as nearly dead as the Congress?

The answers to all three came by the afternoon of counting day, June 4. Not only must the BJP take the Congress