LOTS IN A NAME: Rahul indicates Congress was intrumental in splitting Pakistan.

People who read this also read

• Amar Singh shows driving licence in poll
• I'll work for the future of UP: Rahul
• UP faces widespread anarchy: Rajnath
• Ambani powers UP, Delhi dark
• UP polls: EC slams Sharad Pawar

New Delhi: First it was his comments on Babri Masjid and former prime minister Narasimha Rao that kicked off a storm in the heated battleground of Uttar Pradesh, and now Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has made another statement that is likely to generate much debate.

On his campaign tour in the poll-bound state, Rahul once again sought to remind voters of the 'great Gandhi contribution' in the formation of India's polity.

"Once my family decides something, it doesn't go back. Whether it's about India's freedom, dividing Pakistan or taking India to the 21st century," he said.

The Congress MP from Amethi was campaigning for party candidate Praveen Singh Aron contesting from Bareilly Cantt.

BJP was the first to react to the statement and said Rahul's statement shows his obsession with his family name.

"What Rahul Gandhi is saying is an exhibit of a monarchic mindset. He only thinks of family and thinks history has been written by Gandhis. In fact, he includes Mahatma Gandhi too in this. If they (Congress) take "credit" for Pakistan division then they should also take the blame of partioning India. They don't see country beyond family and are so involved in the game that all their office bearers become unimportant. Does that means Lal Bahadur Shastri and Narasimha Rao were nobodies? Talking about party is okay as it represents a heirarchy. Here's the talk is all about family," said BJP leader Prakash Javadekar.

The echoes of Rahul's statements were also heard in Pakistan and journalists in that country told CNN-IBN that the comments may kick off a storm.

Rahul's statement also makes clear that he is trying to drive home the point that Congress remains the political party of maximum significance in India.

However, political analysts see a larger goal behind these comments. They say the party is looking at the Lok Sabha elections that will happen two years from now.

In one of his earlier road show speeches, Rahul had claimed that had any Gandhi family member been in power during 1992, the Babri Masjid would not have been demolished.

The statement came under attack with political rivals saying this was a condemnation of Narasimha Rao and showed a 'mindset' that none outside the family could provide governance.

http://www.samachar.com/showurl.php?rurl=http://www.ibnlive. com/news/family-man-rahul-paks-a-punch-in-poll-speech/top/38 577-4.html?xml&news='Family%20man'%20Rahul%20Pak(s)%20a% 20punch%20in%20poll%20speech&pubDate=Sun%2C+15+Apr+2007+ 12%3A39%3A44++0100&keyword=ibn_home

************************************************************

Do you still think Rahul Gandhi can be a good leader ?

I think he is the best leader India has ever got.He completely understands the deficiency of Indians and that the root of wealth lies in the villages and that is why he is working so hard for the development of the villages as compared to the rest of the parties. And it was him, and him alone, that understood and reformed the modern congress- by bringing youths into the Lok Sabha. Now India has got young blood and fresh minds.

Don't you think people in politics that too from a famous family should be careful in speaking ?

As a politician, you should always try to be a good orator. After all, your speaking conveys others what you feel about the country and others perpendicularly. And mistakes are very common...........he is not a robot, he's a human being.....human beings make mistakes.

Do you think Priyanka is better than Rahul?

I find both equally capable But Rahul has got a chance and he has utilized it to prove himself capable and worthy. But Priyanka, don't know because she has a family, couldn't.....so luck works!.

Please feel free to putforward your views!

I think that Rahul should develop more ideas and bring it to the people and make those ideas into realities. He is totally suitablefor becoming the next Prime Minister. But considering what has happened to his family members in the past, he shouldn't risk his life like that.

Cheers,

Mythili