New Delhi, July 26
While there is growing demand from the Congress rank and file that Nehru-Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi be entrusted with greater responsibility, the party has signalled it is preparing for this eventuality by grooming its GenNext leaders for a bigger role in the organisation with an eye on the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

This was clearly indicated when members of the screening committees for the poll-bound states of Himachal Pradesh, Tripura and Gujarat were announced recently. Three junior ministers, who are said to be close to Rahul Gandhi, have been included in these panels, which are mandated to screen and recommend names of candidates to the party's Central Election Committee, headed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

RPN Singh, minister of state for petroleum, is a member of the screening committee for the crucial state of Gujarat, Jitin Prasad, junior minister in the Roads and Transport Ministry, has been named on the panel for Tripura

and Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Home, is a member of the screening committee for Himachal Pradesh. The panel on Gujarat is headed by Minister of Roads and Transport CP Joshi, who is again known for his proximity to Rahul Gandhi. All the three junior ministers worked in the party organisation before their induction into the council of ministers. Jitendra Singh is a member of Rahul Gandhi's personal team, RPN Singh was AICC secretary for several years while Jitin Prasad headed the Youth Congress and also worked as AICC secretary. Congress leaders said the inclusion of these three ministers was a clear signal that the party is giving serious thought to the grooming of younger leaders so that they are ready to assume greater responsibilities once Rahul Gandhi enters the picture.

"The younger leaders need to be trained to build Rahul Gandhi's future team," remarked a senior Congress leader, adding that as members of screening committees, these young ministers will learn to deal with the pulls and pressures of handling ticket seekers and the considerations that go into the selection of candidates.

While Rahul Gandhi recently declared that he is ready to play a larger role either in the party of the government, there is no clarity on this matter so far. There is a section in the Congress, especially the younger leaders, that feels he should be more proactive in the organisation instead of confining himself to the activities of the Youth Congress as this would enthuse the demoralised party cadres. It has been made clear that Sonia Gandhi will continue as party president and will lead the party in the 2014 elections while Rahul Gandhi will be projected as the future Prime Minister.

There is a section in the party which believes Rahul Gandhi should be made a minister to gain experience in the running of a government which will stand him in good stead for the future.