This Article is From May 11, 2009

Rahul Gandhi, Congress' key negotiator

New Delhi:

In the Congress, Rahul Gandhi has clearly been the most active in these elections. He has held more than a 100 rallies, and is the key negotiator between Congress and its allies.

Rahul, in his recent address to the media spoke about Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa, saying that all options were open.

Were these honest remarks? Or a shrewd political move?

As the Congress debates this and tries to reassure it's allies, the question everyone is asking - what role will Rahul play in the post-poll scenario?

He has taken key decisions like going it alone in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, no compromise on Manmohan Singh as the prime ministerial candidate, and ruling out outside support to any political formation.

"These are interpretations on Rahul's statement. Our alliances are in place and we are with our allies," said Congress leader Oscar Fernandes.

Rahul has been the key Congress campaigner in this election, addressing nearly 110 rallies compared to 75 rallies by his mother Sonia Gandhi. But the tricky part now begins on who will do the talking once the results are out.

Party sources say it's Sonia Gandhi whose goodwill has to be employed. In 2004, she went out of the way to reach out to allies, walking down to meet LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, or greeting Uttar Pradesh Mayawati on her birthday.

"We function under Congress president Sonia Gandhi. There is no conflict, it's a mischievous question. There is harmony," said Congress leader Veerappa Moily.

They say in politics what you say or don't say has a meaning, Rahul Gandhi is till on the learning curve on forging alliances in politics and in the next few days, once the verdict is out, it will be his first test in political maneuvering.

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