Congress says two power centres work just fine, may continue model

New Delhi: The Congress has contradicted senior leader Digvijaya Singh, who recently said that two power centres within the Congress  may not have worked to the party's advantage.

"The relationship which has existed between Sonia Gandhi as Party President and Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister is something, which is not usually seen everywhere and is unique. I think, for any democracy, this is an ideal model even for the future," said Congress spokesperson Janardan Dwivedi.

In 2004, Mrs Gandhi rejected the chance to be prime minister, picking Dr Manmohan Singh for the country's top job.

In Mr Dwivedi's remarks, many will see a manifestation of the Congress' dilemma. While his party is clamouring for him to be named its prime ministerial candidate, Mr Gandhi has said that his priority is reorganising the Congress. Last month, he told Congress MPs, "Asking me whether you want to be PM is a wrong question."

In the national election, scheduled for next year, the Congress hopes to be elected for a third consecutive term.

Last week, the Prime Minister did not refute suggestions that he is open to remaining in office if the Congress returns to power. He said the decision would be taken at a later point. "These are hypothetical questions, we will cross that bridge when we reach there," Dr Singh said.