Congress looks to Rahul Gandhi,but Modi challenger remains veiled

Congress sources pointed out that Manmohan Singh became the prime minister in 2004 although he was not projected before the elections. They said in 2009,Singh’s name was announced only when the party released its election manifesto,indicating that the party was not in a hurry as far as its PM candidate is concerned.

“We all want Rahul Gandhi should become the next prime minister. There is no doubt about that. But the Congress has a tradition of not announcing prime ministerial or chief ministerial candidates,” AICC secretary and Lok Sabha MP Sanjay Nirupam said.

Jogi said,“We have been expressing our wish that he should lead us in elections and we will continue to say that.”

The Congress ridiculed the hype surrounding Modi’s anointment. “The BJP is giving a media hype to its decision to project him. I can only say that Delhi abi bahut door hain,” Nirupam said.

At the AICC’s official briefing,spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary said the BJP’s decision makes no difference to the Congress. “It hardly makes any difference to us. Let them do anything. It is their internal matter… We have other important matters to handle.”

She also linked Modi to the communal violence in Muzaffarnagar. “Modi released Amit Shah into UP and you have seen the trailer of what is to come,” she said.

Many in the Congress felt Modi’s projection would benefit the Congress as it will result in secular and minority votes drifting towards it.

“A sober and moderate leader would be difficult to fight. It is very easy to confront a leader like Modi. His projection will only help us,” said Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik.

Union minister Vayalar Ravi said,“Declaring Modi as the prime ministerial candidate is declaring war on the Indian people. Modi’s past as a chief minister triggers panic and fear even today among the minorities. If he could not protect people of his own state as chief minister,how can he become the prime minister of India,” he said.