Oommen Chandy puts money on ‘PM’ Rahul Gandhi

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Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy does not see an alternative to Rahul Gandhi as future Prime Minister (PM).

Breaking his considered silence on the issue, he told DC recently that Rahul was a youth icon with a proven ability to lead and whom people wanted to lead the country. He said the Congress general secretary had acceptability not only in the party but the whole country. “He has toured the country and knows all issues.”

The Chief Minister, however, left it to the Congress leadership to decide whether he should be given the prime role now or after the 2014 general election.

Asked if he saw competition to Rahul, he replied in the negative. “I don’t see any other leader in the country who can compete with him for PM’s post. India is a nation of many castes, creeds and cultures. Only Congress can unite all and develop the country. When Congress becomes weak, the whole country will be weak. India now is a global major. If India has to continue to be a big player, it needs very strong leadership. Rahul Gandhi fits the bill,” he said.

About his alleged involvement in the palm oil scam, he said: “The case is 20 years old. LDF reopened the case and entrusted it to the vigilance court. My friends urged me to go in an appeal, but I said no. Let the inquiry go on. I know I am sincere and honest and not involved in any scam.”

Chandy said he was all ears to concerns raised by neighboring states regarding facilities en route to and at Sabarimala. He said he had convened a meeting of endowment ministers of all Southern States in Thiruvananthapuram in the first week of October to discuss problems faced by devotees.

He particularly mentioned connectivity and said he was making sincere efforts to ensure more trains and train routes to Andhra Pradesh (AP). Chandy said he had also agreed to provide land to AP to set up facilities for devotees from the State.