Reposing his full confidence in the Congress’ national general secretary, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday said that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would get all-round support if chosen to take over as the All India Congress Committee (AICC) president.
Capt Amarinder, speaking to some journalists, regretted Rahul Gandhi’s decision to step down from the top party post. “India is a young nation, and will respond to a young leader,” he reiterated.
Asked to comment on Congress leader Shashi Tharoor’s statement that Priyanka would be a good choice for being chosen as party chief, he said: “Priyanka would be a perfect choice to take over the party reins but it would all depend on the Congress Working Committee (CWC), which alone is authorised to take a decision in the matter.”
The Chief Minister, it may be recalled, had earlier also advocated for a young leader to take charge of the party at this critical juncture in the nation’s journey. With majority of India’s population now comprising youth, only a youth leader could connect with the people and resonate their aspirations, he had said.
Capt Amarinder made it clear that Priyanka “is ideally suited to head the party, which needs a dynamic young leader to rebuild it after the recent Lok Sabha election loss”.
“She has the intelligence and instinct to understand and relate to the needs of the nation, and also has the courage to take on any challenge and take the fight to victory,” he added.
“Given Rahul’s refusal to take back his resignation, Priyanka was a good bet to replace him as the new leader,” said the Chief Minister while expressing the confidence that she would easily get the support of the party’s rank and file, across regions.
In response to another question, the Chief Minister described the events relating to the Unnao rape victim as shocking. “Are we living in jungle raj?” he asked, adding that “if we cannot protect our daughters and give them justice, then we are doomed as a nation.”
The law must be upheld at all costs, he asserted, urging the Supreme Court to take cognizance of the case and order a thorough probe to ensure that the victim is protected and gets justice at all costs.