Day not far when Rahul will be PM, says Pranab

CHENNAI/NEW DELHI: Foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi might take over as the prime minister soon, giving fresh fillip to the speculation about the party���s timeframe for the Gandhi scion���s elevation to the top job.

"The days are not far off when Rahul Gandhi may follow in his father���s footsteps," Mukherjee said at a conference of overseas Indians, adding that Rajiv had become PM at the age of 40. Mukherjee also spoke of other young leaders like new J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah.

The timing of his remark on Rahul���during the lead-up to the Lok Sabha polls���and the fact that he is not given to casual talk, make his statementsignificant .

Last year, the party leadership had censured HRD minister Arjun Singh when he had said that Rahul should take over the reins from Manmohan Singh. This time, however, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh came up with a fullscale endorsement of Mukherjee, arguably the most seasoned voice in the party.

Singh also pitched in with praise. "He has all the qualities to lead the nation," party spokesman Shakil Ahmed said. "The new generation sees him as its representative." Ahmed, however, added that Rahul would decide on the timing.