With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday describing Rahul Gandhi as the ideal choice for Prime Minister’s post after 2014 election, the demand for anointing the Congress Vice-President has become louder within the party.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid endorsed the Prime Minister’s remarks and said as head of the Government whatever he says is a direction for the Ministers. “If he says something clearly we will support that and walk on the way shown by him. We also know the desire of the workers and leaders in the party and our wish is to give shape to that desire and fulfill it,” he said.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla maintained that the decision should be left to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul. “Not only the PM, but every Congress worker wants Rahul Gandhi to lead the Nation. We all want it,” he said. However, official spokespersons of the party avoided commenting on the issue. One section of the Congress is against announcing Rahul as the Prime Ministerial candidate before the 2014 lok Sabha elections, to avoid pitching him against BJP leader Narendra Modi. However, another section wants Rahul, who is already Election Campaign Committee head, to be formally declared as the Prime Ministerial candidate.