New Delhi:
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has revived the speculation over whether Rahul Gandhi will be named the party's nominee for Prime Minister ahead of next year's national election. Speaking to reporters today, he insisted that Mr Gandhi has so far not ruled out the option of being the PM candidate completely.
"He (Rahul Gandhi) has not said no anywhere. What is being reported in the press has caused some misconception. If the people of the country want, then why won't he (become the PM candidate)?" Mr Singh said today.
Three weeks ago, Mr Gandhi had told MPs from his party at an impromptu session that the "Prime Minister's post is not my priority. I believe in long-term politics." He added that his focus is on strengthening his party. The 42-year-old however did not comment on who would be named PM if the Congress should return to power for a third term.
Rahul Gandhi was formally appointed Vice-President of the Congress in January this year. Even before being escalated to this post, he was for years treated as the second-most influential member of his party, after his mother Sonia Gandhi, who is the party's president.
Speaking to a private TV channel yesterday, Digvijaya Singh said that Mr Gandhi "is mature enough to handle the intricacies of coalition politics" and suggested that he should hence not opt to nominate a Prime Minister if the party gets a majority in the next Lok Sabha polls.
"I personally feel that there should not be two power centres...I strongly feel that when time comes and if the Congress gets majority or it is in a position to form the government, I think Rahul Gandhi should take the call," he said.
"He (Rahul Gandhi) has not said no anywhere. What is being reported in the press has caused some misconception. If the people of the country want, then why won't he (become the PM candidate)?" Mr Singh said today.
Three weeks ago, Mr Gandhi had told MPs from his party at an impromptu session that the "Prime Minister's post is not my priority. I believe in long-term politics." He added that his focus is on strengthening his party. The 42-year-old however did not comment on who would be named PM if the Congress should return to power for a third term.
Rahul Gandhi was formally appointed Vice-President of the Congress in January this year. Even before being escalated to this post, he was for years treated as the second-most influential member of his party, after his mother Sonia Gandhi, who is the party's president.
Speaking to a private TV channel yesterday, Digvijaya Singh said that Mr Gandhi "is mature enough to handle the intricacies of coalition politics" and suggested that he should hence not opt to nominate a Prime Minister if the party gets a majority in the next Lok Sabha polls.
"I personally feel that there should not be two power centres...I strongly feel that when time comes and if the Congress gets majority or it is in a position to form the government, I think Rahul Gandhi should take the call," he said.
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