Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 26 (IANS) After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently expressed his “readiness” for a more “proactive” role, as many as 10 party members in the Lok Sabha Thursday petitioned Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to make him the leader of the house.

The post has been lying vacant since Pranab Mukherjee was named the United Progressive Alliance’s presidential nominee and has to be filled before the monsoon Session starts Aug 8.

According to the letter written by the MPs, making Rahul Gandhi the leader of the Lok Sabha is the need of the hour to provide a sense of confidence among the party and the people.

“In a challenging scenario both globally and within the country, Rahul’s leadership will inspire the party in parliament,” a cabinet minister, who is one of the signatories to the letter, told IANS on the condition that he not be named.

“Youth of the country, who constitute half of the population, will be very happy with his elevation… he can attract youth and common masses,” he said.

In the letter, the parliamentarians have expressed hope that Gandhi would be able to effectively deal with the opposition and the allies and would easily strike a rapport with them.

Another MP said though only 10 of them had signed the letter, the sentiment was shared by many lawmakers in the party.

Though the convention has been that only a cabinet minister can be made the leader of the house, an MP said it is not a law and a can be changed.

The idea behind the convention is that the leader of the lower house would be able to respond to governmental issues if he has administrative experience.