INDIAN politician Rahul Gandhi, scion of the famed Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, vowed on Thursday (July 19) to play “a more pro-active role” in government as the ruling Congress party struggles to regain popularity.
Gandhi, who is widely touted as a future prime minister, is the son, grandson and great-grandson of Indian premiers, and currently serves as a member of parliament and head of the Congress party youth wing.
The 41-year-old bachelor has been under pressure for years from party loyalists to take up a higher public profile, but he has declined to accept a government post and often keeps his distance from the daily political fray.
“I will play a more pro-active role in the party and (in) the government,” Gandhi told NDTV television in remarks that immediately triggered widespread speculation about him taking a cabinet position.
“The decision has been taken, the timing is up to the leadership,” he said, referring to his mother Sonia Gandhi, the Congress party president, and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
Gandhi, who rarely speaks to the press, made the comments after voting in presidential polls in New Delhi.
With Dr Singh expected to stand down at the end of his current term, Gandhi’s actions are being closely watched for signs that he will lead the Congress party into the next general election due in 2014.
Gandhi is seen by many as a young political star, though he suffered a major setback when he headed Congress’s dismally unsuccessful campaign in Uttar Pradesh state polls in March.
His family lineage stretches back to Jawaharlal Nehru, independent India’s first premier, with Nehru’s daughter Indira Gandhi and Rahul’s father, Rajiv, also both prime ministers.
Premier Dr Singh’s government has been battling with series of corruption scandals, policy setbacks and poor economic data.
