New Delhi:
Sonia Gandhi made it clear a few weeks back and now Rahul Gandhi has put his weight firmly behind Dr Manmohan Singh. Talking to journalists in Delhi, Rahul said if the Congress has to lead the next government, then Dr Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister is not negotiable.
"From my side, I know - and I do know my mother's views on this - that Dr Manmohan Singh is the best prime ministerial candidate. He is our candidate and we are going to stick by him like we did in the case of the Indo-US nuclear deal even if the Left insists on another face for Prime Minister in return for their support," Rahul said.
However, the Left was quick to dismiss his comments.
"If the Congress can get a majority, then they can have such a stand," CPM Politburo member Sitaram Yechury said.
In the end, for Rahul Gandhi's position to be tenable, the Congress will have to get the numbers. Otherwise, allies like Sharad Pawar who have already called Manmohan Singh the Congress candidate for PM and not the UPA's could hobnob with others.