Rahul Gandhi as working president? Congress refuses to speculate

Congress today refused to speculate as to whether Rahul Gandhi would be appointed as the working president of the party this month, but maintained he was already playing a prominent role in crucial decisions.

"We are not here to speculate on speculations in the Press about this, that, or the other. But to think that Rahul Gandhi is not playing a very prominent role already and now is a mistaken notion," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said responding to questions on media reports on the issue and senior leader Digvijay Singh's comments yesterday.

Singhvi found it "needless" to speculate on the speculations in media and assume "as if he (Rahul) is starting a new journey from tomorrow."

Digvijay had yesterday said Rahul has to come in the mainstream. "Right now he is looking only after Youth Congress and the student wing of the party. I feel now he has to look after us all," he had said.

Digvijay is the AICC general secretary in-charge of poll-bound Uttar Pradesh where Rahul Gandhi is trying hard to revive the party.

There are speculations in media that Rahul could become the party's working president and that an announcement in this regard is likely on November 19, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's birthday.

Singhvi said, "His (Rahul's ) style of functioning or his brand may be different but his involvement in crucial decisions having an impact on public interest and national interest has been very clear and humongous."