M A I N   N E W S

Under fire for remarks on Rahul, Khurshid says he was misquoted
Anita Katyal/TNS

New Delhi, July 10
After AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, Law Minister Salman Khurshid found himself in trouble today over his critical remarks on Nehru-Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi and PM Manmohan Singh.

How it began n Salman Khurshid criticised Rahul on Monday, saying “we have only seen cameos of his (Rahul’s) thoughts and ideas...” n He said the root of the Congress’ problems was “lack of ideological direction” from Rahul. “…Rahul is undoubtedly and unquestionably the Number 2 in the party. Yet, he has not taken up the mantle or accepted functional responsibility”. n Khurshid suggested that governance had suffered in UPA II and that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had slowed down

Pulled up by the Congress, a defensive Khurshid spent the entire day offering clarifications. “My replies are being wrongly interpreted. My urging the young and new leadership of our party to prepare themselves to lead from the front (and) to prepare themselves for future challenges should be seen in the right context,” Khurshid told mediapersons after his interview to a daily newspaper created ripples in the Congress.

Khurshid’s interview was met with utter disbelief as no one in the party has dared to cross the “lakshman rekha” by commenting publicly on the Nehru-Gandhi family. While Khurshid’s sympathisers in the party maintained the Law Minister “could not have said” what had appeared in the Press, his detractors seized the opportunity to up the ante against him.

Congress sources admitted Khurshid will be “marked man” in the future. Stating that such incidents do leave an impact, a Congress leader said Khurshid may find it difficult to find a place in Rahul Gandhi’s A-team.

Wading into what is accepted in Congress circles as a “no-go” area, Khurshid appeared to take a swipe at the party’s First Family. Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s role in the party, the Law Minister said, “Until now, we have only seen cameos of his thoughts and ideas... but he has not weaved all of this into a grand announcement.”

He further said the root of the problems plaguing the Congress was the “lack of ideological direction” from Rahul Gandhi. Lamenting that he was not taking a more active interest in party affairs, Khurshid remarked, “We need a new ideology to be given by our Next Generation leader Rahul Gandhi to move forward and to meet contemporary challenges. The fact is that he is undoubtedly and unquestionably the Number 2 in the party. Yet, he has not taken up the mantle or accepted functional responsibility.” He also suggested that governance had suffered in UPA II and that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had slowed down. Khurshid denied having termed the Congress directionless, praised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and took responsibility for the Uttar Pradesh poll results.

Khurshid’s interview provided fresh ammunition to the Opposition to hit out at the Congress. BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said a senior Congress minister had confirmed what has been apparent to everybody.

"As the leader of the future, Rahul Gandhi has no clear, coherent thinking. This has been confirmed by a senior minister. I can only say good luck to the Congress," he said, adding the remarks were a comment on the functioning of party president Sonia Gandhi. The Samajwadi Party, which is supporting the UPA from outside, also mocked the Congress. "It is very clear from the beginning that Rahul may want to become PM, but he is not leadership material," SP leader Shahid Siddique said.