New Delhi: The suspense over the formal announcement for a “larger role” for Rahul Gandhi continues with Congress saying on Monday that there is no need for any “anxiety” on the issue.
Party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary also dismissed the contention that Rahul’s elevation to the number-2 position in the party raises a question mark on the place of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh within the Congress.
“Can the Prime Minister be number-2? He is the Prime Minister. Prime Minister is an independent post. It has nothing to do with number-2 in the party,” she told reporters.
To questions about a delay in anointing Rahul as number-2, Chowdhary said, “I do not think anybody needs to anoint anybody. He is already number-2 in the party. He is working as number-2 in the party.”
She, however, did not give a direct reply when asked when a formal announcement regarding a change in Rahul’s designation in the party can be announced saying it will happen at an appropriate time and that there is “no anxiety” required for it as things do not work out as media wants.
Chowdhary also strongly defended Rahul’s remarks in the party rally on Sunday during which he had reminded the BJP that Congress stood by the NDA government on the Kargil issue.
Rahul’s remarks drew sharp reaction from BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who said Congress had not done any obligation to it as it was the duty of every patriotic Indian to support the Armed Forces at that crucial juncture.
“But then do we lose our right to criticise? Can we not say that that they (Pakistani) forces entered Kargil due to their (the BJP government’s) weakness,” Chowdhary said accusing BJP of “arrogance”.
She also ridiculed Joshi for attending an agitation against FDI during which protesters blew flutes before buffaloes.
“I feel pity that at this age, Joshi has to play flute before the buffaloes.”
Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said of Rahul’s role that “Rahul Gandhi is already number two after party president Sonia Gandhi.”
“The party has been and will bring in more young leaders.”
Rahul Gandhi has been involved with important decisions of the party in the past few years. He played a key role in finalising the list of 22 ministers who were sworn in October 28.
His imprint was clearly visible in the cabinet rejig in which Jyotiraditya Scindia (41), Sachin Pilot (35), Jitendra Singh (41) and Manish Tewari (47) were given independent charge of ministries to prepare them for future leadership roles and bring in fresh ideas in governance.
“The message was that performance will be rewarded,” said a Congress leader who did not wish to be named.
“The outlook of the young voters is different. The generational change in the Congress is welcome from that point of view,” political commentator N Bhaskara Rao said.
At Rahul Gandhi’s behest, some young leaders could also find a place in the all powerful Congress Working Committee, the party’s highest decision-making body, said the sources.
The blueprint for the AICC reshuffle has been prepared. The Congress chief will decide the timing to announce it, said the sources.
Together with the new-look cabinet, which brought in a mix of youth and experience, the AICC reshuffle is expected to ready a new team which will take on the challenges of nine assembly elections in 2013 culminating in the big electoral battle of the 2014 elections. (Agencies)