Rahul was only speaking his mind: Congress

Rahul Gandhi's praise of leaders outside UPA may have left allies miffed,but the party said the young leader's comments should not be seen as a 'political statement'.

Rahul Gandhi’s praise of leaders outside UPA may have left Congress’ allies miffed,but the party on Friday said the young leader was only speaking his mind and that his comments should not be seen as a “political statement”.

“What’s wrong in this… he expressed his views on leaders like AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar,” AICC general secretary Mohsina Kidwai,party in-charge of Himachal Pradesh,told reporters here.

Asked if Rahul’s comments were a “strategic blunder” as UPA partners like RJD and LJP were upset with the overtures to their political rival,Kidwai said Rahul “merely spoke his mind and it should not be seen as political statement”.

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On Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav’s condition that he will support only that party which will dismiss Mayawati government,Kidwai aid “the scene will be clear only after results on May 16”.

Kidwai,however,said that all secular parties should join hands to keep the “communal” forces out of power.

Pointing to the track record of Congress in serving the poor and downtrodden since independence,Kidwai said the party was needed for “stability” of the country which was facing challenges of terrorism and global recession.