BJP, AAP hit back at Rahul Gandhi; question Congress policies

NEW DELHI: Slamming Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi for his comments on Narendra Modi, BJP on Tuesday said that Congress is nervous of Modi's popularity. "This comment shows that Congress is nervous of Modi's popularity," BJP hit back.

BJP went on to say that the culture of politics being centered around a single individual has been that of the Congress.

In an interview to a newspaper, Gandhi said that it is in the interest of the country if Congress comes to power again in 2014 general elections.

Gandhi targeted BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi saying that the nation can't be run on the whims and fancies of a particular person. "BJP now wants personality-oriented leadership which isn't in the favour of the nation," he hit out. Gandhi emphasised that India needs inclusive governance.

Gandhi also hit out at Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). "We should take decisions that don't just benefit in short term but long term."

Questioning Gandhi's stance, AAP member Gopal Rai said, "We have just started our journey. The long term impact is yet to be seen." Rai went on to say that Rahul Gandhi needs to introspect before pointing fingers. "How long does Congress need to bring policies that favour people," he asked. "They have been in power for over 60 years, yet they have been unable to resolve the problems of common man," he said.

Rahul Gandhi hinted that he is open to accepting his party's nomination of him as a Prime Ministerial candidate. Gandhi said, "I'll do whatever the party wants me to do."

Earlier this month PM Manmohan Singh ruled out a third term for himself and said that he will hand over the baton to a new Prime Minister after the 2014 general elections.

Last week, Rahul Gandhi promised early declaration of candidates for Lok Sabha polls under a "new process" reflecting the "voice of people" in Congress.

Sources in the party have indicated that the meetings of the screening committees to select candidates will begin soon after the January 17 AICC meeting in Delhi, where the party could name Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial candidate.

With Rahul keen on early declaration of candidates for Lok Sabha polls, the party is understood to have decided to come out with a list of 150 to 200 nominees by the end of this month.

Lok Sabha elections are likely to be held in April-May and the decision will give at least three months time to the candidates to prepare for the elections.