New ministry Friday, Rahul might not join

AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who led the Congress’ Lok Sabha election campaign from the front, has “made up his mind” on the issue of “whether or not” to join the government. “Rahulji will take a final decision after consulting Soniaji and Dr Manmohan Singh,” wellplaced sources in the party indicated on Tuesday night.

“I have made up my mind ... You will soon come to know,” Mr Rahul Gandhi told a few reporters on Tuesday. But he was evasive when questioned further about his mind on this issue. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has stated that he is keen to have the young leader in his Cabinet. But, if insiders are to be believed, the young Gandhi is unlikely to join the government at this time. A TV channel, too, quoted Mr Rahul Gandhi as saying, “I have made up my mind not to join and you will shortly come to know.”

He was greeted by newly elected MPs at the meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) on Tuesday.

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Rahul is the future of country: Congress

“Rahul Gandhi is absolutely the future of the country,” said the Congress at a time when speculation about a prime ministerial candidate is gaining ground once again in party circles.

“Rahul Gandhi is a practical person, he is not greedy for power. He is honest, loyal to the country, we are proud of him,” said AICC media department chairperson M. Veerappa Moily here on Tuesday.

Replying to questions about whether the party sees him as a potential candidate for the top post, Mr Moily said, “He is definitely the future of the country, working on the ground, hundred per cent he fills the bill.” Though the party does not want to project him as its prime ministerial candidate “at this juncture”, perhaps due to the coalition compulsions, the rank and file is clear that he will lead the party and the government.

Asked who would be the party’s prime ministerial candidate if it retains power after the general election next year, Mr Moily said: “This is a decision to be taken by the Congress president and MPs.”

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Rahul turns 38, Congress celebrates

Hundreds of his supporters celebrated the day, distributing sweets, bursting crackers and cutting cakes but Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi was now here to be seen on his birthday on Thursday.

The scion of the Gandhi family was not present in his Tughlak Lane residence, though it was thronged by his supporters as they carried gifts for their leader. According to sources, the Amethi MP was in Delhi but keeping away from the limelight.

However, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and National Students Union of India (NSUI) leaders celebrated the day.

“The day is being celebrated in all districts across the country in different ways. While some groups are cutting cakes to mark the occasion others are holding relief camps to give medical aid to needy children,” IYC president Ashok Tanwar said.

Mr Gandhi’s Tughlak Lane residence here had a regular stream of visitors since morning. A crowd of around 300 people gathered at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters here to celebrate his birthday. They burst crackers, danced and distributed sweets. Several hoardings and posters were put up at the AICC office and also on Tughlak Lane.

A host of important Congress leaders sent bouquets for Mr Gandhi. Among them were Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Union ministers V. Narayanasamy and Santosh Mohan Dev, as well as MPs and MLAs from different parts of the country.

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Rahul ready to go to jail in Uttar Pradesh, says Sonia

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has said that unless Congress workers in Uttar Pradesh were prepared to go to jail, a change in this state would not be possible.

"The day Congress workers decide to go to jail, I will also come here. If need be, Rahul will also go to jail with them," she said while addressing the concluding session of the two day general body meeting of the UP Congress.

The Congress president said the UPA government at the Centre had given several thousand crores of rupees to the UP government under various schemes and it was up to Congress workers in the state to ensure that it was being properly used for the benefit of the people. "The need of the hour is agitation and struggle.

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Rahul turns to SMS for young India mobilisation

AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi's latest initiative could become his "calling card".The Indian Youth Congress is in talks with telecom operators to assign toll free numbers for the party. Mr Gandhi is keen to encourage what he calls an "open membership culture" in the Youth Congress. Aspiring members from any part of the country can simply send an SMS or make a call on the designated special numbers and express their interest. Youth Congress offices will initiate the necessary formalities for his/her inclusion in the organisation.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) has mandated that we create an open membership culture in the party, as against the current system, which to a great extent is access-controlled," Youth Congress president Ashok Tanwar told this newspaper.

For telcos, it's clearly a recognition of their growing penetration at the grass- roots levels. "Mobile telephony has a presence in every nook and corner of the country. The reach is particularly impressive among the youth.

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