Rahul ready for important party work soon, says Cong

The Congress on Monday said its general secretary, Rahul Gandhi, who is already heading the party's coordination panel for 2014 general elections, is likely to take up an important organisational responsibility soon, but stopped short of naming him the Prime Ministerial candidate, HT reports.

The Congress on Monday said its general secretary, Rahul Gandhi, who is already heading the party's coordination panel for 2014 general elections, is likely to take up an important organisational responsibility soon, but stopped short of naming him the Prime Ministerial candidate.

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The first signal came from senior party leader, Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Congress president, Sonia Gandhi.

In an interview to NTDV in Gujarat, Patel said he finds "no difference between Sonia and Rahul."

He said Rahul is already the number two leader in the party and will lead its election campaign in 2014.

In Delhi, Congress spokesperson, PC chacko said Rahul will take up an "important responsibility" in the party "very soon."

To a specific question on whether Rahul will be projected as the party's Prime Ministerial candidate in the polls, he said that issue will come up after the elections and it was for party MPs to decide.

Chacko said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be the helm till 2014. "This has no relation. He is the Prime Minister. This government will continue till 2014. He is the Prime Minister till 2014," he said.

To a query on what will be the role of Congress President Sonia Gandhi after Rahul takes up an important party position, Chacko replied "She is the President now. She will be the patron. She will be the supreme leader of the party."

He said Rahul has agreed to assume more responsibilities following "overwhelming" demand by the party men.