Congress president Rahul Gandhi. (File Photo/PTI)
Congress president Rahul Gandhi has said that he is ready to become prime minister if allies want him on the top post. However, he underlined that it was important for all opposition parties to come together to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for him to become the PM.
"If they (allies) want me, sure... I will," he said while describing it as a 'two-stage' process.
"We have had discussions with allies and what we decided is that this is a two stage process stage -- one is to get together and defeat BJP and stage two is, once the election is over then we will decide what happens," Rahul Gandhi said speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.
Responding to a question regarding Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati's decision to not to contest the upcoming Assembly elections in alliance with the Congress, Rahul Gandhi expressed hope of a tie-up for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
"Mayawatiji has sort of indicated that. I think in the national elections, the parties will come together, particularly in Uttar Pradesh," he said.
On being quizzed over his recent 'temple run' in the run up to Assembly election in different states, Rahul Gandhi clarified he has been going to temples, gurdwaras and mosques for years, but the issue of his visits to temples has suddenly been publicised.
"I guess BJP doesn't like it. It infuriates them. BJP feels only they can go to temples," he said.
The top Congress leader said he has developed a thick skin and that he is not disturbed criticism. "My response is to listen. Leadership is an evolution. It is something which is constantly changing and you learn. At least in my evolution, I am going much more into listening to people and trying to understand them," Gandhi said.
Taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and its ideological mentor RSS, Rahul Gandhi said a single, suffocating ideology is being imposed upon 1.2 billion Indians.
"The ideological centre that is fighting the BJP can only be the Congress. I am ready to take criticisms and questions. Why can’t the prime minister do the same. India desperately needs healing and listening and all sections want it," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
