ET Edit: It is time Rahul Gandhi must make his charge or apologise

Have premia on earthquake insurance gone up in Delhi since Rahul Gandhi promised to make the earth tremble with the revelations he has up his sleeve against Prime Minister Narendra Modi? Not quite. Why does the Congress vice-president persist in this game of allegation and innuendo? After all, it is not doing anything great to boost his rating as a serious leader who could lead the Opposition to Modi in 2019. Opposition leaders have not waited for the forum of Parliament to open up for them to make serious charges against the ruling party and its leaders. VP Singh launched his Bofors missile against Rajiv Gandhi outside Parliament, after all.

Perhaps Rahul Gandhi wants to make it clear that the politics of allegation and innuendo, which the BJP and its leaders have been practising against the Gandhis in relation to the AgustaWestland helicopter deal, is something that can be used against the BJP, too. Perhaps, Gandhi wants to rupture the aura of moral superiority that the prime minister has managed to wrap around himself. Perhaps, he wants to build up some momentum and suspense before announcing whatever he has to announce.

Whatever his motive, this cannot continue forever. Gandhi must come out with whatever charge he has, regardless of whether he speaks in Parliament or outside. And Prime Minister Narendra Modi should call Gandhi’s bluff. He should attend Parliament Friday and dare the Congress vice-president to go ahead and rock the Richter scale.

That would totally remove any wiggle room for Gandhi, who would either have to make good on his threat or eat humble pie. That is what the people want: their leaders must walk the talk, whether on the ruling side or in the Opposition. Politicians’ words must not follow cash and lose all value.

This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Economic Times.