File photo: Rahul Gandhi with his mother & Congress President Sonia Gandhi
In a rare move,
Rahul Gandhi will attend a meeting of his party's core group -the senior-most leaders of the Congress. Sources close to him say from now on, he may attend all core group sessions, indicating a much more active role in the running of the Congress, which is headed by his mother, Sonia.
Mr Gandhi, 43, will attend this evening's gathering at the Prime Minister's residence.
In a statement that is his strongest hint so far that he will accept his party's nomination for Prime Minister, the Congress Vice-President said yesterday that he would accept "any responsibility" conferred upon him by the Congress. That nomination may be announced at a huge Congress meeting planned for Friday. (
Rahul's strongest hint yet that he'll accept PM's nomination)
He is often criticized for hesitating to accept responsibility and has typically been evasive about his future plans and role.
He led the Congress campaign in the recent elections in five states including Delhi, but the party performed abysmally, losing major ground to a resurgent BJP and Arvind Kejriwal's wonder-kid, the Aam Aadmi Party. (
Blog: Rahul Gandhi 2.0 - a new idea or just a new image?)
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this month ruled out serving another term even if the Congress-led coalition defies the odds and wins a third consecutive term. Dr Singh endorsed Mr Gandhi for PM, praising his "outstanding credentials". (
PM rules out a third term, says he will 'hand over baton')
Many party workers, including senior ministers, are pushing for Mr Gandhi to be announced as prime ministerial candidate at Friday's conclave, which will also deliberate on how to step up the momentum of the campaign for the general election which must be held by May. (
Clamour for Rahul-as-PM grows ahead of big Congress session)
A section of the party, however, is concerned that naming Mr Gandhi as its contender for PM will expose him to a confrontational campaign against BJP leader
Narendra Modi, whose style is often seen as more dynamic and direct.