RAHUL"S SUPPORT FOR MANMOHAN TO BE AS PRIMINISTER

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi himself has put an end to speculation on his becoming Prime Minister in the immediate future.

Interacting with journalists during his tour of tribal districts of Chhattisgarh on Saturday, Mr. Gandhi said: “I support Manmohan Singh. I feel the most capable Prime Minister is Singh. I am behind him and I support him as the Prime Minister.”

However, the 38-year-old scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family did not comment on the endorsements from within the Congress and some of its allies in the United Progressive Alliance on his candidature for the Prime Minister post.

Also, he expressed displeasure at the use of the word ‘yuvraj’ to describe him. Terming it “insulting” in a country like India which had a democratic set-up, Mr. Gandhi said: “This word has no meaning today.”

In recent days, the word ‘yuvraj’ with reference to Mr. Gandhi has generated considerable heat.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati used it to refer to Mr. Gandhi in derision, particularly after his recent visits to Dalit pockets.

And, last week, the use of the term became a subject of controversy in the Rajya Sabha when Congressman E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan hailed him as the ‘yuvraj’ of the common man.

Asked to react to Ms. Mayawati’s charge that Mr. Gandhi underwent purification rituals and used a special soap to “cleanse” himself after visiting Dalit homes, the Amethi MP stood on a chair and drew the attention of the journalists and tribals to his soiled clothes.

“See my clothes. Does it look as if I use any special soap?”