Thaindian News

Lucknow, July 19 (IANS) Congress leader Digvijay Singh, who has consistently proposed that Rahul Gandhi take on a more stellar role in the party and government, said Thursday he was happy that the party general secretary had agreed to play “a more proactive role in the party and government”.

Addressing a news conference in the city hours after Gandhi told a news channel that he had agreed to do so, Singh said: “I am happy to note that he has agreed to play a more proactive role in the party and government.”

Singh said Gandhi had “respected the sentiment of Congress workers all over the country” with his decision.

Singh, who has been a vociferous proponent of Rahul Gandhi taking up the top job, said he was only expressing “the views of the mass of Congress workers of the country”.

Singh also said that Gandhi’s role would be decided by the party president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi’s mother.

Asked if Gandhi would replace Manmohan Singh as prime minister, Digvijay Singh said he could not comment on that.

Meanwhile, in New Delhi, the Congress has said that Gandhi is to play number two position in the party.

Party media department chairman Janardan Dwivedi said: “In future, his role would be after Congress president. That is clear.”

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi told NDTV:.”The decision (of his involvement) has been taken, the timing is up to the leadership.”

To a question on central schemes in Uttar Pradesh, Singh also said that it was up to the Akhilesh Yadav government to ensure that the state gets the full benefit of central schemes like the National Rural Health Mission and there is no corruption.