Will welcome Rahul’s entry into govt, says Manmohan

In the backdrop of Rahul Gandhi's assertion that he would play a more proactive role, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the young leader's induction in the government would be a welcome step.

"I have always said I would welcome Rahul's entry into the government," Singh told reporters in Rashtrapati Bhawan, where he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Vice-President Hamid Ansari. The Prime Minister, however, refused to clear the air on a Cabinet reshuffle that is speculated to take place in September. "You will come to know when it happens," he said.

Singh's comment on Rahul is likely to trigger another call within the party for the Gandhi scion to take on a larger role both in the party as well as the government. Last month, Law Minister Salman Khurshid triggered a controversy of sorts when he told The Indian Express that Rahul Gandhi will no longer be seen only in "cameo roles" and hinted that he could be taking on larger responsibility. Even before that, External Affairs Minister

S M Krishna had made a strong pitch for Rahul's entry into government, saying it was "necessary" to help in solving problems faced by the government. Krishna had even pointed out that the Prime Minister himself had already extended an "invitation" to Rahul.

A fortnight ago, 10 Congress MPs had written to Sonia Gandhi suggesting Rahul's appointment as the Leader of the Lok Sabha, saying it was the "need of the hour" to create a "sense of confidence" among the countrymen. Rahul himself had said he would play a more proactive role, but the timing would be decided by his two seniors — Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister.

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