This Article is From May 11, 2009

Rahul Gandhi, the negotiator

Rahul Gandhi, the negotiator
New Delhi: Were Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa honest or a shrewd political move?

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

He has taken key decisions like going it alone in UP 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, but our alliances are in place and we are with our allies," Congress leader Oscar Fernandes said.

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 Ram Vilas Paswan or greeting Mayawati on her birthday.

"We function under congress president Sonia Gandhi and there is no conflict. It's a mischievous question that there is harmony," Congress leader Veerappa Moily said.

They say in politics what you say or don't say has a meaning. Rahul Gandhi is still 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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