PATNA: Former Union minister Sharad Yadav on Tuesday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was working for the party 24X7 and should lead the party.
His statement came after Rahul met him in New Delhi.
When asked by the media whether Rahul should be made the Congress president, Yadav replied, “Why not? If anyone is working for the party 24 hours, it is Rahul Gandhi. I think Congress should make him the president, then only bigger works will be done.”
He also expressed his gratitude and happiness to Rahul for coming to meet him.
Yadav, whom Rahul had referred to as his guru (teacher), also gave a few political mantras to the latter. “I have told him that he has to work for the weaker section, which was once with the Congress and bring them to his side. Only Rahulji can do it,” said Yadav who has recently merged his party with Lalu Prasad’s RJD.
While Yadav openly spoke in favour of Rahul’s presidentship, the latter avoided answering on this point. Post this meeting, Rahul lashed out at the NDA government at the Centre for “destroying the harmony and peace of the country”. He also talked about the “crippling economy” and blamed the ruling BJP for it.
Apart from Yadav, many senior Congress leaders too expressed their desire to see Rahul lead the Grand Old Party. While talking to TOI over phone, all-India Congress committee general secretary Tariq Anwar said Yadav was absolutely right in his suggestion.
Even Congress’s national spokesperson Pawan Khera said people in the party, including its workers across the country, had the desire to see Rahul leading them. “He is already leading the party in all sense. Be it any protest or any work, he is there for the party,” said Khera.
Bihar Congress leaders also have a similar feeling. Congress legislative party leader Ajit Sharma said though it will be decided after the ongoing membership drive of the party, personally he felt Rahul fit for the post.
When asked whether this meeting between Yadav and Rahul will also bring the RJD and Congress together, Sharma said it will be decided by the high command. “As far as his statement in favour of Rahul Gandhi is concerned, he is absolutely right. Coming from socialist background, he is thinking for the betterment of the county.”
Sharma, however, criticised the RJD for breaking the alliance dharma. “It was the RJD which had first announced to contest two bypoll seats alone. Even for Vidhan Parishad election, Tejashwi Yadav made the announcement without talking to us. Now they have faced loss because of their attitude,” Sharma said, adding, “One thing is clear that Congress is the only alternative at the national level and regional parties have to understand this. We can go to any level to save the harmony of our country.”