Hardeep Singh Bedi/Jaipur: As the Congress leaders brainstorm here to evolve a winning formula in the ensuing state and 2014 general elections, demand is being made to give a bigger role to Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi. Indications are that at the end of the Chintan Shivir, a bigger official role for Rahul will be announced. Many leaders are of the view that the sooner Rahul's role is decided is better. Till now Rahul is unofficial number two in party. All eyes are set on any official announcement in this regard.
Apart from other issues, issue of Rahul's role has been dominating the national media camping here. Whenever any leader comes out of the meeting venue, he/she is asked the same question: Is Congress officially going to announce Rahul's role ?
It is notable that not only the young leaders but older brigade is also batting for Rahul. On Saturday, Senior Congress leader Rajiv Shukla was seen batting vehemently for a bigger role for Radio.
Senior leaders have been demanding major role for Rahul, but this time around over 130 Youth Congress and NSUI leaders here demanded a bigger role for the party's de facto number two Rahul Gandhi.
Noting that Rahul was heading the party's poll coordination panel, party MP from Lakshadweep, Hamdulla Saeed said: "We want to see him (Rahul) lead in all spheres."
Asked, however, whether he would like Rahul Gandhi to be seen as the party's prime ministerial candidate, Saeed said that was a matter the elected MPs and party chief Sonia Gandhi would decide.
Pawan Godara, who heads the Youth Congress in Rajasthan, and is a delegate at the party's chintan shivir or introspection camp, said young leaders wanted Rahul to lead the party in the next general elections.
"Rahul Gandhi has given people like me with no political background an opportunity. He should play a bigger role now, and the seniors should guide us," Godara said.
Rahul shared the stage Friday with his mother and party chief Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other senior Congress leaders.
He will address the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session Jan 20.
It is also because of the 42-year-old Gandhi that the conclave at Jaipur has seen such a large contingent from the Youth Congress and the party's student wing, National Students' Union of India.
