| Rahul to take proactive role in party, government affairs |
NEW DELHI Rahul Gandhi will be number two in the Congress after Sonia Gandhi, the party said on Thursday, ending feverish speculation after the Nehru-Gandhi scion and general secretary declared that he was ready for a “more proactive role in the party and the government”.
Rahul said the decision had been taken and the timing was left to the leadership.
“I will play more proactive role in the party and the government. The decision has been taken, the timing is up to the leadership,” Rahul told NDTV after voting for presidential election in the Parliament.
The remark evoked almost immediate confirmation about his future role from party media department chairman Janardan Dwivedi who said the young leader was set to play number two position in the party.
“In future, his role would be after Congress president. That is clear,” Dwivedi said.
This is the first time that Rahul has spoken about the possibility of joining the government or taking up a bigger role in the Congress as the party prepares for a string of state elections and the Lok Sabha elections.
Interestingly, the announcement came on the day former finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, and till a few days ago the government and party’s chief strategist, was contesting the presidential election - well on his way to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
There has been growing clamour in the Congress over the need for the young leader to take a bigger role. Federal Law Minister Salman Khurshid had said earlier this month that the party was waiting for a new ideological direction from Rahul and had only “seen cameos of his thought and ideas”.
Welcoming Rahul’s statement, party leader Digvijay Singh told reporters: “I have been saying this for the past two years...Rahul should play a larger role all over the country.”
He had said earlier that it was time for the young leader to go beyond his present responsibilities in Youth Congress and National Students Union of India.
Rahul’s remarks about a decision having been taken for him to play a more proactive role is likely to intensify speculation about the exact nature of his assignments and tasks.
There is also talk that he could be made member of the core committee where important decisions are taken concerning the government and the party. Pranab is no longer a member of the core committee and Rahul could be his replacement.
Though Rahul has not accepted invitations from the prime minister to join his ministry, some senior leaders have suggested that this should happen.
Federal External Affairs Minister SM Krishna went on record last month and stated that Rahul should join the government to help solve problems faced by the country.
There is also the buzz that he made working president but a senior leader virtually ruled out the possibility, saying that Congress president Sonia Gandhi was its full-time president. However, speculation continues about his being appointed vice president.
Indo-Asian News Service
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