Congress not to declare PM candidate before 2014 polls: RPN Singh

“Congress has a tradition. It does not declare candidate for Prime Minister or Chief Minister. The elected MPs or MLAs decide who would be the Prime Minister or Chief Minister. The party will do the same in 2014,” the Minister of State for Home told reporters here. He was replying to queries on who would be Congress’ Prime Ministerial candidate.

Party will have the last word on Rahul Gandhi as PM candidate: Janardan Dwivedi

Reacting to BJP’s declaration,Singh alleged that Modi is a divisive force and he does not believe in India’s ethos of secularism. Asked about the recent communal violence in Muzaffarnagar,the Minister said the situation in the western Uttar Pradesh district has improved substantially but central government was keeping a close watch on it.

No decision yet on Rahul Gandhi as PM candidate: Congress

Singh appealed to the political parties not to politicise the Muzaffarnagar riots and work for peace in the region. Curfew was eased during day time in the riot-hit areas of Muzaffarnagar for fifth consecutive day today while 542 people have been arrested so far in connection with communal violence in the district and surrounding areas that claimed 47 lives. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Muzaffarnagar on Monday for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.