New Delhi, July 19
Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi today cleared suspense over his taking a more active and larger role in the party and the government emphasising that it was for the leadership to decide when it should happen.

“I will play a more proactive role in the party and the government. The decision has been taken, the timing is up to my two bosses -- the Congress president and the Prime Minister,’’ Rahul said here setting the wheels churning both within the organisation and the government.

The announcement, in response to a question, came amid the growing clamour from union ministers to senior party leaders, suggesting it was time for the young general secretary to take a greater role in the affairs of party and the government.

Whether it was External Affairs Minister SM Krishna or party general secretary Digvijay Singh, opinions have been voiced that Rahul Gandhi is the future and it was for the young leader to dive deeper either into governance and/or shape the party in the run-up to the 2014 general elections.

The Congress reacted with care without indicating which direction Rahul Gandhi heads - Government or the party. “We will be very happy if Rahul Gandhi takes on more responsibility and it will be welcome step. What responsibility (whether in the Government or the Party) and when is up to the party leadership and Rahulji to decide’’, said party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi.

Ever since his entry into the Lok Sabha in 2004, demands that Rahul take on greater responsibility have been raised and it was only towards 2008 that he became the party general secretary preferring to work with the National Students Union of India, student wing of the party.

The last big role Rahul took was taking command of the electoral battle in Uttar Pradesh this year. But with the party suffering a severe reversal, Rahul seemed to have withdrawn.