Rahul Gandhi is a bit inexperienced in politics, says sheila
‘Congressmen are very keen on having Priyanka in active politics’.
Veteran Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, thrice Delhi Chief Minister and now the Congress’ chief ministerial candidate in Uttar Pradesh, spoke to The Sunday Guardian about the UP Congress, the role of Priyanka Vadra and Rahul Gandhi in Congress politics, among other things. Excerpts: Q. Were you reluctant to be the CM candidate for UP? A. I was not keen on it at all. But I have taken it on because I am a loyal soldier of the party and the party had asked me to take it and I have taken it. Q. There has been a lot of talk about Priyanka Vadra coming into active politics and campaigning for the party in UP. But we haven’t seen her on the field yet. So, what would be her role in the UP elections? A: We are all looking forward to her ( Priyanka Vadra’s) campaigning and coming out actively in support of the Congress in UP. Congressmen are also very keen on having her in active politics and I think the people of this country also want her. But the decision has to be hers; until and unless she takes a decision, we cannot do anything. The desire is definitely there. But, it is for her to decide. It’s her decision. Q: Do you think it is time for Rahul Gandhi to take over the reins of Congress? A: Well, he is working very hard. He addressed the party in Parliament the other day. So he is already beginning to take over and perform duties that one would expect the party president to do. Q: If Rahul Gandhi is doing the work of the party president, why is he not formally taking over as the party president? A: That is for them (the Gandhi family) to decide. Let us give them the liberty to decide on that. Rahul Gandhi is also a bit inexperienced in politics and that is why he is taking his time. Whenever the right time comes, he will take over. Q: In UP, the Congress has put forward several senior and important leaders like you, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Raj Babbar, and also political strategist Prashant Kishor to chalk out plans for the elections. Has there been any clash of ideas in UP as so many heads are involved? A: No, not at all. There are no clashes. Prashant Kishor is not a political person, he is just a technical advisor. We just take technical advice from him. He is a technologist. His function is not so important in UP when it comes to deciding on political roles.