Cong shouldn't delay giving larger role to Rahul: Akhilesh

New Delhi, Sept 9: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister

has suggested that

should not delay giving a more prominent role to

in the party and the central government.

"It's good, but it should come early. The Congress shouldn't keep it hanging," Akhilesh said when asked for his views on whether Rahul should be given bigger responsibility in the party and the government. Congress leaders as well as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have said Rahul should assume a bigger role but it is upto him to take a call.

Asked pointedly whether Rahul, who led the Congress' unsuccessful campaign in Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, will make a good Prime Minister, Akhilesh said, "The young should get larger role. "He (Rahul) should get an opportunity. He should assume bigger responsibility as soon as possible. The whole country is waiting... But at the end, it's a decision of the Congress," he told Aajtak channel.

Akhilesh's Samajwadi Party had given a drubbing to the Congress in the Assembly elections in UP just six months back. During the interview, Akhilesh also said all political parties should always be ready for polls and keep the cadre ready. "Little time is left for the parliamentary polls," he said. He maintained that SP is supporting the UPA government on its secular plank. "But the party has to answer for 2G, Coalgate and price rise," Akhilesh said.

PTI