Rahul Gandhi should become next Prime Minister: Shinde

The comments are an indication of the 43-year-old Congress leader taking the lead role

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today endorsed Rahul Gandhi's statement that a government of the youth will come to power in 2014, saying it was the desire of everyone that the Congress vice-president becomes the next Prime Minister.

"I welcome Rahulji's statement. Very rightly he has said that the leadership should go into the hands of youth. And our desire is that Rahulji Gandhi should become the Prime Minister of this great country," he said at a press conference here.

Shinde's was asked about Gandhi's statement yesterday in Rampur where he said "a government of the youth" will come to power in 2014 which will work for the poor and "change" the country.

"The elections of 2014 are approaching. You see, a government of the poor, of the common man will again be formed. And I tell you, in 2014, a government of the youth will be formed, which will change the country. It will bring change by empowering the last man in the queue," Gandhi had said.

The comments were seen as an indication of the 43-year-old Congress leader taking the lead role, if his party comes to power after the next Lok Sabha elections.