The UPA will fight the coming Lok Sabha elections under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said senior Congress leader and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
In an interview to a TV channel, he pointed out that some UPA partners have also stated that they would fight the elections under Singh's leadership. "Congress President Sonia Gandhi also endorses the view," he added.
The Congress party's main troubleshooter also sought to clarify his recent remarks on Rahul Gandhi being the candidate for the PM's post.
"I was responding to the questions from the NRIs at the Pravasi Bhartiya Sammelan. Someone asked my why India has an ageing leadership. I gave a number of examples such as those of Praful Mahanta, Omar Abdullah...I said Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister when he was 40. And then I said that who knows, may be one day Rahul Gandhi may follow in the footsteps of his father.''
Mukherjee said the parties in the UPA government would remain part of the alliance in the elections. As far as the post-election coalition was concerned, it would depend on the numbers without compromising the basic principles of the party.
"We will not tie up with communal parties," he added. Asked what was his future, he said, "We cannot foresee what will happen. However, I will remain in politics.''
Source: The Tribune UPA to fight LS polls under PM's leadership, says Pranab
