SP questions Rahul's leadership, Congress condemns remark

Ridiculing the talk of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi being projected as prime ministerial candidate, the Samajwadi Party Wednesday doubted his ability to lead the nation. The Congress condemned the remark.

"Whoever understands Indian politics will say that Rahul Gandhi does not seem to have the qualities to lead the country in view of the challenges it s facing," Samajawadi Party general secretary Mohan Singh told mediapersons in Kolkata.

Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi told reporters in New Delhi: "I condemn such statement... anyone criticising Rahul Gandhi does not know him or the Congress."

Alvi retorted by saying that Gandhi was a national leader and it was against political courtesy to pass such remarks.

Mohan Singh said that in the last two years, Rahul Gandhi had kept mum in the Lok Sabha, even while it was discussing critical issues facing the nation.

"During the last two years, we did not get the chance to have Rahul Gandhi's analysis on any critical issue facing the nation in parliament. When one does not hear him speak, how can one say the country will be secure in his hands?" he said.

Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal downplayed the Samajwadi Party's remark. "People are entitled to criticise," said Sibal, while talking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Kolkata.