Not ready for PM: Rahul Gandhi

NI Wire

New Delhi

Sat, 25 Apr 2009: 

The much talked about the Congress’ prime ministerial candidate in future, general secretary Rahul Gandhi setting aside all speculations on his name in the run for prime ministership has shown apathy towards the top post if he is offered now.

“I do not think I have the requisite experience to be e prime minister right now.

So, I would refuse without taking even a little time for two reasons: first, the lack of experience and second, I am busy working for developing a strong pro-poor Youth Congress,” said the 39-year-old Gandhi at a press conference in Kolkata.

‘My father Rajiv Gandhi became the prime minister at a mere age of 40 in 1984, but he was a different person. It will take me long time to become eligible for prime ministership,’ said Rahul who will be 39 in June. Rajiv Gandhi became the prime minister in 1984 after the assassination of his mother and the then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

During an hour-long press meet, Rahul Gandhi responded to a flurry of questions ranging from Babri Masjid, Left Front government’s performance in West Bengal and the situation in Sri Lanka.

Responding to criticism of the party in connection with Babri razing, Rahul Gandhi said, ‘Babri demolition was the result of political failure. BJP’s political moves are solely responsible for this.’

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who was flanked by Gandhi, said, “BJP government in Uttar Pradesh had assured that it would make appropriate arrangements to protect Babri Masjid. We trusted the government that was our biggest mistake.’

West Bengal is suffering from poverty more than Uttar Pradesh because the government is not utilizing the allotted money properly, Gandhi said and added the ‘Left does not have right ideas for growth.’

The MP from Amethi said he was concerned for Tamils but had no feelings for LTTE because they killed his father (Rajiv Gandhi).

About the security breach, Congress youth icon Rahul Gandhi said that shaking hands with people during an election rally at Purulia in West Bengal was not the security breach albeit such kind of meetings were cleared by his security staff in advance.

“I am not breaching security; it is discussed with my security personnel. They allow me. I like meeting people and the meetings are decided for one or two places. The Special Protection Group (SPG) commandos decide it. So there is no security breach. We go to the place only where I am allowed to meet people,” he said.