Chorus for Rahul playing larger role in Congress grows louder

New Delhi, July 16: The chorus for

playing a greater role in

party grew louder with Digvijay Singh demanding that he be given "decisive" responsibility and a senior leader making a strong pitch for projecting him as PM candidate in the next polls.

"Finally, the time has come for him to assume a larger role...He had been confining himself to Youth Congress and the student wing of the party. He should come in the mainstream...This is the demand of all Congressmen. We all want that he works proactively," Singh said.

While Singh sought a "decisive" role for Rahul, the senior leader, who declined to be identified, said that projection of a PM candidate in the next polls scheduled in 2014 was "imperative in view of the changing times". Party General Secretary Digvijay Singh speaking separately said that Gandhi, who has so far restricted his role to the affairs of Youth Congress and NSUI, should play a larger role from Sept, once the presidential elections are over.

The AICC general secretary, who downplayed contentions of his proximity to Gandhi, said, "Had Rahul imposed himself on the party in the very beginning, it would not have been good. Now when there is demand he should come". He was asked why the clamour for Rahul was growing now.

His comments come just days after Law Minister Salman Khurshid was quoted by a newspaper as having said that the party had seen just cameos of Rahul Gandhi's thoughts and ideas and that the party was waiting for him to weave these into a grand announcement - remarks that the minister subsequently said were misinterpreted.

Singh, however, refused to clarify what he meant by larger role for Gandhi amid speculation that Gandhi could become the party's Vice President. After Pranab Mukherjee's exit from the all-powerful Congress Core Group, the young leader could also be formally brought in there.

"Larger role does not mean the Presidentship in any party," Singh said, adding that the party will fight the next Lok Sabha elections under Sonia Gandhi's leadership.

However, when asked whether the party could project its Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Singh pointed out that the party had not projected any face in 2004 Lok Sabha elections.

The AICC has already made it clear that Manmohan Singh would continue to be Prime Minister till 2014. "Congress party does not project anyone either as PM or CM," he said. Another party leader speaking separately, however, said that he was of the view that the party should project its Prime Ministerial face before the next Lok Sabha elections keeping in mind current political situation.

While the leader did not elaborate the reasons for projection of a PM candidate, the rationale could be to exploit the differences in the BJP, leading the opposition NDA, on the leadership issue.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi had a meeting with four senior leaders Ahmed Patel, Janardan Dwivedi, Digvijay Singh and Jairam Ramesh. However, there was no immediate word whether they met Gandhi collectively or separately and what transpired in the meeting.

Singh, however, refused to specify what role he feels Gandhi should play and merely reiterated that Gandhi "should play a larger role into the mainstream of Congress party". Asked whether it was opportune for Gandhi to don a larger role, Singh said, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Only then leadership emerges. Only a person who swims against the current is called a leader by the people."

The AICC general secretary dismissed contentions that Rahul factor failed to work in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar Assembly elections saying it is the regional leadership which takes key decisions including for ticket distribution in the Assembly elections.

"There is no such thing as Rahul factor. There is PCC, regional leadership. They have to act. These things are decided by state leadership. They decide whom to give tickets not Rahul," Singh said.

PTI