Rahul’s politics not aimed at becoming PM: Priyanka

PTI

Rae Bareli, 05 Feb 2012: Priyanka Gandhi today said the central focus of her brother Rahul Gandhi’s politics is not to become Prime Minister and the question does not arise at the moment.

"I do not think that is the central focus of his politics. We have an extremely good Prime Minister. We are fortunate to have a person who is honest and works well and I don’t think this question arises at the moment," Priyanka told reporters here.

She was replying to a question on whether the time has come for Rahul to become Prime Minister, a demand that is frequently made by sections within the Congress.

The 40-year-old daughter of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who was all-praise for Rahul and his contribution to building up the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, said he is more concerned about his work than worrying about how the election results would impact his reputation.

"It his work that matters. He is not concerned about his reputation. Only cowards don’t lead from the front," she said.

Priyanka said that before the 2007 Assembly elections Rahul had explained to her that though Congress was not organisationally strong in UP. He wanted to get involved as his concern was building up the party and work for the welfare of the state.

She asserted that Rahul was not working for a reputation but for change.
"As I understand it, the mandate my brother is trying to set is for development of the state," said Priyanka, who is campaigning for the UP assembly polls.

Priyanka said Rahul does not see his career in terms of holding the post of party president or becoming the Prime Minister and it is the media which thinks so.

"You all see his career as that, he does not. Neither do we, members of his family, see it in that manner. We concern ourselves with work. Rahul has brought a big change in youth Congress. He is bringing democracy in the organisation which is not there in any party. Free, fair and democratic internal elections do not take place in any other party," she said.

She maintained that this step would impact politics and the political parties in the country.
However, she did not rule out Rahul holding any post, saying if his work requires him to do so, he will.

Asked about Congress’ performance in UP, Priyanka said, "I am not an astrologer so cannot speculate. But my understanding is that it (seats) will be much more than the last time."

She alleged that there has been corruption and lack of law and order in UP for the last 22 years.

"Work of the people is not done. People are fed up," she said.
Priyanka also rubbished charges that Rahul’s politics was not about development.
"The mandate my brother is trying to set is for and not against development. The state has been lagging behind other states. Our agenda is for development. It is above politics of caste and religion. Opportunistic and corrupt politics should not prevail," Priyanka said.

Priyanka insisted that Rahul is working for bringing about a change in politics.
Asked about the allegations against Home Minister P Chidambaram in the 2G spectrum case, Priyanka said she feels "sad" about the attacks on him.

"I feel as the Home Minister he has an onerous and huge responsibility towards the people of this country. I feel sad when he has to waste his time responding to the rants of people who are not concerned about the kind of issues he has to deal with...," she said.

Priyanka maintained that she feels in a similar way with regard to the attacks on the UPA government.

"I feel sad on how much time is wasted on not allowing the government to function," she said, adding that this takes away precious time.