AICC wants to end debate on Rahul's PM candidature

New Delhi, Apr 15 (UNI) With demand for projecting Rahul Gandhi as the next Prime Ministerial candidate pouring in from more senior Party leaders, the Congress Party today said its President Sonia Gandhi and Mr Gandhi always kept away from any environment of sycophancy.

"The AICC want to put an end to all speculation (in this regard)," AICC Spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan told mediapersons,while replying to a question if the Congress Party had decided to project Mr Gandhi as its Prime Ministerial candidate in the context of a similar demand being raised by Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

"It is not appropriate to spread political speculation in this way," she said, and added that there was no vacancy to the post of Prime Minister at present.

Ms Natarajan said the UPA government and the Prime Minister's team had put a magnificent record of performance-oriented administration.

The government had delivered significant welfare measures for the benefits of the most disadvantaged sections of the society.

She refused to reply to many questions on the subject, saying you could better talk to AICC General Secretary in charge of Media, Mr Veerappa Moily.

A day after Arjun Singh popped up Mr Gandhi as UPAs next prime ministerial candidate, Mr Mukherjee today supported the idea of passing over the reins to the young MP from Amethi.

Singh said on Monday that he saw no wrong in projecting Mr Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate as he has all the qualities of his father.

UNI SH AKJ AS1828