Amarinder Singh bats for Rahul as Congress president

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh has said that the time has come for the new generation to emerge in the party.

“I have worked with Sonia Gandhi and found her (to be) a very good leader. But she is (aged) 70. Time has come for the new generation to emerge (in the party). Obviously, she is tired,” Singh said in an interview to a private news channel.

He was asked if the party has been harmed by the simultaneous presence of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi at the top of the Congress hierarchy. “It will be only fair if she wishes to hand over (party reins),” the former Punjab Chief Minister said.

Replying to a question, Singh said Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi “will also emerge” (as a good leader) once given power and responsibility. “I have worked with his (Rahul’s) father (late PM Rajiv Gandhi). He was also like this. Rahul will also emerge (as a good leader) in due course,” the Congress MP from Amritsar said.

He also said that the “Congress has to strengthen itself after whatever has happened in the country,” in an obvious reference to the party’s debacle in the assembly elections in four states. He said that the Congress high command should delegate more powers to its state leaders, especially to fight “regional leaders” in their respective states.

“If you have to deal with regional leadership, you must give some powers to the state leaders of the Congress,” the Punjab Congress chief said.