New Delhi, Apr 14: Congress stalwart Sheila Dikshit Tuesday voiced reservations over Rahul Gandhi’s likely elevation as party president, saying there was “skepticism” over his leadership qualities, and pitched for continuance of Sonia Gandhi at the helm.
The 77-year-old veteran said under the incumbent president there was a “comfort feeling” and that the party could rely on her “overpowering and very successful” leadership for its revival. “I will not be able to give any idea what will happen or what will not happen. He (Rahul) could succeed. There is another point we must understand that the overpowering and very successful leadership of Mrs Sonia Gandhi is there. So there is a comfort feeling with her,” Dikshit told PTI in an interview.
When the interview went on wires, Dikshit spoke to journalists to clarify that she had not said that Rahul Gandhi is “incapable” and asked TV channels not to attribute to her remarks she had not made. PTI story did not quote the former Delhi Chief Minister as having called Rahul incapable. Dikshit said Rahul’s leadership qualities have not been fully tested yet.
“I am yet to meet anybody who has any critical remarks to make about the leadership of Sonia Gandhi. I can say it with absolute confidence. Whereas (in case of) Rahul, of course, there is a question mark, there is skepticism because you have not seen him perform as yet,” Dikshit said.
“He has not had the opportunity to perform as yet. He has not had the responsibility. So to judge him and say that ‘write him off’ or criticise him something he has not been able to do so, I do not think, is a fair assessment of the person. We have to wait and see,” she said.
Dikshit’s comments have come at a time when Congress appears divided on whether to anoint Rahul as president replacing his mother Sonia.
Senior party leaders Amarinder Singh and Dikshit’s son Sandeep had come out strongly against Rahul’s elevation.PTI
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