Rahul Gandhi does not need PR agency for image make-over: Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress on Wednesday denied reports that it has roped in Japanese advertising and communication firms to brush up the public image of Rahul Gandhi before Lok Sabha polls, saying the party vice president does not require any PR agency for his image make-over.

"Rahul Gandhi does not require any advertising agency for his image make-over. Congress functions with the strength of its ideology and that of its crores of ordinary workers. No image-building agency has been hired by the Congress party," party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters at the AICC briefing.

Party's communication department Chairman Ajay Maken also denied reports that a hefty amount of Rs 500 crore is being given to Japanese firms for Rahul's image build-up, saying "we do not have such huge budgets."

Reports had it that the Congress, which suffered a huge defeat in the recently held Assembly elections, has roped in Japanese advertising and communication firms Dentsu and Burson-Marsteller to strategise the 2014 Lok Sabha polls campaign for Rahul.