Congress' heavy reliance on Rahul Gandhi in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls will prove to be a "risk worth taking" but if the party does not fare well it will not be end of the road for him, says party leader Mani Shankar Aiyar.
The former Union minister downplayed the presence of Robert Vadra in the campaigning saying he is doing it as member of the family, but said he would welcome the Gandhi family's son-in-law as an MP if he wins elections.
"Rahul Gandhi has made Uttar Pradesh his special particular turf. So, here is very visible there and makes occasional foray elsewhere," he told Karan Thapar on CNN-IBN's Devil's Advocate.
Asked whether heavy reliance of Rahul in UP would undermine the image of the young leader as it is a "high-risk strategy", the Nehru-Gandhi family loyalist said, "Of course. You will never win if you don't take risk. During the course of it, it will be proved that it is a risk worth taking."
"Yes. But it is not the end of the road. But if the party wins it will be the opening of the gate (for him)," he said when asked whether Congress' defeat in the politically crucial state of UP would be a setback to Rahul.
{{/usCountry}}"Yes. But it is not the end of the road. But if the party wins it will be the opening of the gate (for him)," he said when asked whether Congress' defeat in the politically crucial state of UP would be a setback to Rahul.
{{/usCountry}}He called the Nehru-Gandhi family as a "bonding adhesive" of the party and its "biggest asset".
Aiyar also dismissed suggestions that Congress President Sonia Gandhi has taken a "back seat" in the campaigning for UP elections, saying she is continuing to campaign in the manner she has been doing since long.
The diplomat-turned-politician also dismissed suggestions that Congress was following "dynastic politics", saying the members of the Nehru-Gandhi family secured their succession by "democratic right".
He also said all the members of the family who headed or heading the party have overcome several challenges and emerged victorious.