Sonia ends speculation over change in PM post

Scotching speculation of any change of Prime Minister, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday dismissed such a possibility in the wake of the poll debacle.

Scotching speculation of any change of Prime Minister, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday dismissed such a possibility in the wake of the poll debacle.

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"The question does not arise," she shot back when asked if there was a possibility of the Prime Minister stepping down and Congress choosing another leader for the post.

Asked by reporters as to who would be the Congress candidate for Prime Minister in the 2014 elections, Sonia Gandhi merely said, "This is 2012".

She also ruled out any danger to the UPA government from its allies after Samajwadi Party managed a clear majority in Uttar Pradesh and did not need the support of Congress.

"I do not think the results will damage the UPA government," she said.

Since Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, which is part of the UPA government, has been breathing fire over a slew of issues from Teesta water sharing treaty with Bangladesh to NCTC issue, there was a possibility that SP would draw closer to Congress if the latter supported it in Uttar Pradesh.

Sonia Gandhi indicated that relations with UPA allies were fine and talks between them were a normal feature