Rahul not to join Govt

MANDATE 2004

Rahul Gandhi, member of Parliament from Amethi, said there would not be two power centres in the Congress and ruled out becoming a minister in the new government, shortly after Manmohan Singh's election as Congress Parliamentary Party leader.

"I don't think there is any question of power centres in the party. He (Singh) is my leader. There will be complete support from the party," he told the media when asked whether there would be two power centres with party President Sonia Gandhi remaining outside.

Asked whether he would become a minister in the new government, Rahul said: "I won't join. I will certainly not be in the government, the reason being I don't think I am needed in the government. I am needed in the party. I think there will be many people better than me who will be in the Cabinet."

He felt that he was needed "in organisation building".

Rahul said the party would have to decide whether he would take up a post in the Youth Congress or the Congress party.