Amethi: Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday gave the first indication that she was not averse to joining politics and spoke of the possibility of her brother Rahul Gandhi becoming the prime minister "one day".
The Congress was quick to welcome Priyanka's statement but would not speculate on "when" she will join politics.
"As I am growing older, I'm realising that 'never' is a bad thing to say. So I'm not going to say never," 37-year-old Priyanka, who had till now clearly refused to join politics and had only campaigned for her mother Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and brother, told reporters here.
However, she added,"...but I certainly don't see it. I don't feel that (joining politics) is what I would do."
Priyanka said Rahul, who is contesting from Amethi, is qualified to be the Prime Minister, but Manmohan Singh will assume the post again if Congress wins the Lok Sabha polls.
"I have full faith in my brother. He is hardworking. He means well. He is, according to me, qualified.... So, one day he will. He will do a good job of it," she said, when asked whether she thought her brother was qualified enough to hold the top post.
The Congress' star campaigner in this high-profile constituency, quickly added that the next Prime Minister, if Congress comes back to power, will be Manmohan Singh
Asked to comment on BJP's criticism that Manmohan Singh is a weak Prime Minister, Priyanka said, "Manmohan Singh is a very qualified Prime Minister. The country has seen his ability. He remains firm. I don't think he is weak at all."
Reacting to Priyanka's statement, Congress spokesman Abhishek Shinghvi said she was "already part of the larger Congress family."
"People connect with her thought process and identify with her and the charisma is for everyone to see. Whether she will hold this post or that post, I think it is completely premature to say in the light of what she has just said," Singhvi said.
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