Amarinder Singh favours idea of Priyanka Gandhi entering active politics

New Delhi: In New Delhi, AICC spokesperson Sushmita Dev said, “We are a national party. There are certain procedures ... When it comes to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, we all wholeheartedly accept (their leadership) ... We all want Rahul to take over, as and when we will make a proper statement,” Ms Dev told reporters.

Replying to questions on the speculation over Mr Gandhi’s imminent elevation, and also the possibility of his sister, Ms Priyanka Gandhi, becoming active in Uttar Pradesh where Assembly polls are scheduled next year, Ms Dev said: "Speculation is the privilege of the media."

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh, facing a tough challenge from the AAP and the ruling SAD-BJP combine, said the time was right for Mr Gandhi to take over from his mother.

He also favoured the idea of Ms Priyanka Gandhi entering active politics, leading many to believe he is suggesting three power centres in the Congress.

“Sonia Gandhi is a brilliant leader. I have said that she has been working (as Congress president) for the last 20 years. If she feels the time has come to give it to a new generation, then she should pass it on and we will fully support Rahul,” Capt. Amarinder Singh told reporters in Chandigarh, adding that Mrs Sonia Gandhi has said that it is time for “the baton to be handed over to someone else”.

“It’s her decision, the party will decide, we should respect her decision,” said Capt. Singh. While Mr Gandhi’s followers have become impatient for a change of guard, they worry about how the Congress will face challenges from the BJP and the regional parties because “Team Rahul” has failed to win elections in Delhi, Assam, Kerala, Maharashtra and Haryana, and is unsure about delivering in the upcoming electoral battles in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Goa.