PM renews offer to Rahul to join Cabinet

Observing that Rahul Gandhi was "very qualified" to hold a post in the Union Cabinet, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the young Congress MP has always been reluctant to join his ministry and renewed his offer to him to join the UPA Government.

Observing that Rahul Gandhi was "very qualified" to hold a post in the Union Cabinet, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the young Congress MP has always been reluctant to join his ministry and renewed his offer to him to join the UPA Government.

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Singh also said he was ready to make place for "anybody" whom the Congress party decides when asked by a newsman at a press conference whether he was ready to make way for 39-year-old Rahul during his current tenure.

"Rahul is very qualified to hold a Cabinet post. I have discussed with him on a number of ocassions though I don't remember exactly the date when I discussed with him last," Singh said.

He was asked when Rahul is expected to join his Cabinet as he is being projected as the future Prime Minister of the country.

"He (Rahul) has always been reluctant to give a postive answer (on joining the cabinet) by telling me that he has due things to strengthen the Congress party," the Prime Minister said of the AICC General Secretary.

He also said that as and when Rahul decides to join the Cabinet he would be given an appropriate role.

On whether he would make way for Rahul during his current tenure, Singh said he was ready to make place for "anybody" whom the Congress party decides.

"Let me say say that I sometimes feel that younger people should take over as when the Congress party makes that judgement and I will very happy to make place for anybody the Congress party" decides, Singh said.