Union minister for steel Beni Prasad Varma said on Saturday what every Congressman, perhaps, want to say.
“Mera bus chale to main unhe aaj hi kursi per baitha doon — If I had my way, I would put him on the chair today itself even though Dr Manmohan Singh is the best and most honest Prime Minister that India has ever seen,” Mr Varma said at a press conference here on Saturday.
The minister said he got due respect from Mr Rahul Gandhi being a senior citizen but nothing more should be read into the matter. It may be recalled that during his five day UP tour, Mr Varma was seen as a constant Rahul companion on the dais.
The minister said the fact that Ms Mayawati devoted 45 minutes to Rahul Gandhi in her 70 minute speech, proved his popularity in the country.
If Rahul Gandhi is a “young angry man” today, he is rightly so. Anyone who sees the degradation of UP will be angry. If the UP chief becomes a bit liberal it can see some industrial growth too, he said. Mr Varma said since Ms Mayawati’s days were numbered, she should now extend some support.
“A reservoir of iron ore has been tapped in Lalitpur and the Central government can set up a steel plant there provided Mayawati gives the mines on lease. The move would generate jobs for 10-15,000 people besides underlining the industrial growth of the state,” Mr Varma pointed out.
Replying to a question about factionalism in the UP Congress, Mr Varma said that all problems would be sorted once the election campaign began.
“A special team has been constituted to cajole the party-men who are disgruntled or who have shown their dissatisfaction on ticket distribution. Mr Gandhi will himself address party workers in Lucknow later this week,” he added.