Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday minced no words in asserting his prime ministerial ambitions as he said he could assume the top job if the allies wanted so. But the first step is for all parties to get together and defeat the ruling BJP, he outlined adding it’s a two-stage process and a decision on who will be Prime Minister comes second.
“We have had discussions with allies and what we decided is that this is a two-stage process: one is to get together and defeat the BJP and stage two is, once the election is over then we will decide what happens,” the Congress chief said.
Insisting further about the possibility of him becoming the Prime Minister, Rahul said, “If they (allies) want me, sure... I will.” During the campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly polls too, Rahul had not shied away from expressing his intent to become the Prime Minister, following which the BJP had gone hard against him on the issue.
On Friday, speaking at the HT Leadership Summit, Rahul also answered questions on a range of issues, including his temple visits and the RSS.
He said he has been going to temples, gurdwaras and mosques for years, but the issue of his visits to temples has suddenly been publicised.
“I guess the BJP doesn’t like it. It infuriates them. The BJP feels only they can go to temples,” he said even as he maintained that he has developed a thick skin. He can understand criticism and is not disturbed by it. “My response is to listen.”
“Leadership is an evolution. It is something which is constantly changing and you learn. At least in my evolution, I am going much more into listening to people and trying to understand them,” he said.
Taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and its ideological mentor RSS, he said a single, suffocating ideology is being imposed upon 1.2 billion Indians. “The ideological centre that is fighting the BJP can only be the Congress,” he said.
“I am ready to take criticism and questions. Why can’t the Prime Minister do the same. India desperately needs healing and listening and all sections want it,” he said.
Asked about the difference between his leadership style and that of his mother, Sonia Gandhi, the Congress president said, “I have learnt a lot from her, she has taught me to be patient. I used to be much more impatient. She tells me how to be patient, sometimes I tell her she is too patient. She goes by gut feeling and I go by thinking.”