New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi gave clear signals of working with the Left parties in the post-poll scenario, expressing confidence that the Communists would accept Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister and a Congress-led government.
Addressing a press conference in the Capital, Rahul reiterated that Manmohan Singh was party’s prime ministerial candidate and was also the allies’ choice for the top job.
“Manmohan Singh is the best Prime Minister this country can have. Allies are supporting us and have full faith in Dr Singh”, he said.
Taking on UPA's estranged Left allies, Rahul said their ideas on nuclear deal were outdated but a common ground could be reached - a statement that indicates Congress may not have a problem forging alliance with the Left.
"I think Left should support Manmohan Singh's candidature. We agree with Left on a lot of issues. They'd be happy with Congress than any other party," he said.
"The ideological differences between Congress and Left persist but there is lot of meeting ground and reasonable amount of common space", he said.
He also said the Congress would support the Left if they manage to gain 190 seats. "If Left gets 180-190 seats, we will consider supporting them and I hope they are able to achieve that. If they are able to do that, I will be the first one to say you know what, let's support the Left," he said.
'MINISTER ONLY BY FORCE
When asked if he would take up a ministerial berth, Rahul said he would do so only if "forced by the Prime Minister and the boss".
Rahul also lashed out at the Opposition NDA, saying the alliance existed only in the minds of the BJP leadership.
"All these parties were part of the NDA at one point of time. But now the NDA no longer exists. It's only for namesake," he said.
Referring to Advani's argument of getting India's money in Swiss banks, back, Rahul said he agreed with the idea.
"Advani has raised the question of Indian money in Swiss banks, I completely agree with him. It’s been there for 60 years and everybody agrees. Then why all of us don't work together to get that money back? Let's crack the problem and not waste time talking of the amount of money that is there," he said.
BOFORS ISSUE DEAD
Even as Congress is facing criticism from the opposition after CBI removed Ottavio Quattrocchi from its most wanted list, AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi said it is a "dead issue" which is repeatedly raised ahead of every election.
"It is an embarrassment (that it is raised repeatedly). It is a dead issue. It is repeatedly raised. It is finished. There is no interest (in the issue)," he said.
He was responding to a question why the Bofors case is raked up repeatedly ahead of every election and whether it was an embarrassment to the party and the Gandhi family.
The CBI had recently dropped the name of Italian businessman Quattrocchi, accused of receiving kickbacks in procuring Bofors guns for the armed forces, from its red-corner list.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had earlier said India would be "looked down" by the world community if the red corner notice against Quattrocchi was not removed.
To a question whether CBI is being misused by ruling regime, the 39-year-old Amethi MP said it was a "systematic issue" and it was not a question of one particular agency.
"Every party which is in power could put pressure on institutions. It is a fact," he said, adding that every government tries to push its people into such agencies.
