Rahul Gandhi praises Prime Minister

India has achieved a lot under the leadership of Manmohan Singh and he is not a weak prime minister, said AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi. He was speaking to press after meeting Youth Congress leaders in Union Territory of Puducherry.

A day after Congress endorsed Singh's name as the prime ministerial candidate, the young Gandhi refuted opposition leader L.K. Advani's charge that Singh is a weak prime minister and said: 'I guess, if he is a weak prime minister, he has achieved a hell of a lot.'

He also praised Manmohan Singh for the signing of the India-US nuclear deal and putting diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to accept its dreaded part after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, besides the economic growth of the country.

Rahul Gandhi said: 'I have had the pleasure of working with Manmohan Singh. I consider him to be one of the top leaders we have in the country. He is a first class gentleman. I don't think he is weak in the least.'

Replying to a question on the present Varun Gandhi controversy, Rahul said, “I am surprised by his views. Life is full of surprises." He, however, added: "Those are his views. I have my views. I don’t carry hate and anger with me. Hatred and anger blind you."

When asked about his taking charge as the prime minister, he laughed and said, 'I remember you were raising this issue even during the last elections in 2004. The press loves to raise this issue.'

He added that he was doing all he could to get more youngsters in the party and said that the 'doors to politics' were ‘open to youngsters’.

This is Rahul’s second visit to the Union Territory, where Congress holds power. Earlier in 2004, he had visited the tsunami ravaged coastal regions.

The Lok Sabha polls would be held in Puducherry on May 13.

*Agencies