If only Ashok Gehlot could be as popular in Rajasthan as among Istanbul’s Facebook users

It’s time to talk turkey on the issue of Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot’s reported rise in popularity among Istanbul’s Facebook users. The mere fact that his ratings from that part of the world have suddenly taken off cannot be seen as evidence of fowl play. As recently as February, the Turkish ambassador to India announced in Jaipur his country’s interest in helping Rajasthan develop its tourism infrastructure. Given that the era of congratulatory telegrams is sadly over now, the loyal citizens of Istanbul could well have been showing their concurrence with their envoy’s initiative by enthusiastically endorsing the CM’s Facebook account in lieu of inundating him with emails.

However, as young Turks have been historically inclined towards passionately agitating for change, the incumbent CM’s political managers have reason to become a trifle alarmed at this increase in Anatolian interest, particularly if they do not buy the BJP’s explanation for the spike in “Likes”. With the free-falling lira and rupee presaging common concerns, such camaraderie coming from a currently politically-restive nation like Turkey could prove tricky, as Rajasthan will be heading into assembly elections soon. After all, once people get a taste for it, dropping inclinations to protest, that too, cold turkey, is practically impossible.