TNI Bureau: Amidst speculation over Congress’ prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 elections, the high pitches were heard in favour of Rahul Gandhi as future leader of India at Chintan Shivir in Jaipur on the second day of the party meet that concluded today.
The clamour to make Rahul as the party’s PM candidate grew louder today with the party leader Sanjay Nirupam, who said that Rahul would lead the party in the next general elections, which will be held in 2014. He made it clear that there was no confusion among party leaders announcing Rahul as their future leader and the PM candidate.
Other Congress leaders were also seen supporting to Nirupam’s opinion. Oil minister Veerappa Moily said, “Rahul is our leader in the present and for the future”. After Congress President Sonia Gandhi addressed the party meet on Friday asking the workers to be ready for the upcoming polls, strong support came in favour of Rahul as their leader.
Most of the Congress veterans demanded a bigger role for Rahul within the party and the upcoming polls. MoS for HRD Shashi Tharoor gave his consent for Rahul’s leadership. Leaders including Milind Deora, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Deepa Dasmunsi and Ambika Soni are with party workers demand.
However, Party spokesman Digvijaya Singh said that Rahul should not be pressurised. Mani Shankar Aiyar also said that Rahul should decide on the issue. “If he decides to take the role, the party will welcome his decision”, he said today.