Rahul ideal for PM’s post after 2014 polls: Manmohan ‘I’ll Be Very Happy To Work Under Him’

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday strongly backed Rahul Gandhi to be the Congress's choice for PM after the 2014 election, pushing the party towards a presidential-style showdown with the BJP's likely PM nominee Narendra Modi. 

    The PM's remarks to the media while returning from the G-20 summit in Russia are bound to sharpen the debate in the Congress over Rahul's formal projection at a time when the BJP is close to declaring the Gujarat CM as its PM hopeful. 
    BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi lost no time in daring the Congress to name Rahul as its PM candidate with the saffron party seeming keen to probe the Congress's perceived reluctance to the Rahul vs Modi match. Singh's statement marks a shift from his "we will cross the bridge when we reach there" response when asked about a third term in March. 'But PM has not hung up his boots' 
New Delhi: Asked about a third term in April, PM Manmohan Singh had maintained suspense, saying, "I am not ruling it in, I am not ruling it out". But on Saturday, he seemed more categorical, saying, "I have always said Rahul Gandhi will be an ideal choice for the prime minister's position after the 2014 election." He added, "I would be very happy to work for the Congress party under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi." 
    The PM's statement seemed to prod the Congress towards a decision on Rahul, deviating from the leadership's script to maintain tactical ambiguity over the leadership issue in order to dodge a Modi versus Rahul matchup. Not surprisingly, sources insisted that Singh has not made himself unavailable for the top job either. "The PM expressed a view on Rahul, but has not hung up his boots," a source said, reflecting the leadership's reluctance to show its hand yet. 
    Singh's presence at the helm helps duck questions about the reluctance to pitchfork Rahul in the arena. Justifying the silence over leadership, Congress sources cited past chiefs to say that no one was projected in 2004 and that Singh, despite being the incumbent, was projected in 2009 only at the time of the release of the manifesto. As part of the party's posture of ambivalence, AICC media head Ajay Maken had rebutted general secretary Digvijay Singh when he ruled out Rahul's projection as PM as a matter of policy—something which was read as the party keeping open the possibility of naming Rahul for the post at a later date. 
    However, there is unanimity that the PM's latest statement, if in response to a question, is a shift from earlier proforma acknowledgement of Rahul. Singh's stated willingness to work under Rahul is seen to point towards an impending transition.

I have always maintained that Rahul Gandhi would be an ideal choice for the PM post after 2014 elections. I will be very happy to work in the Cong under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi 
MANMOHAN SINGH | PM

PM talks of happily working under Rahul Gandhi's leadership next year! Wasn't he doing the same all these years? Misleading the nation again? 
    — NARENDRA MODI | GUJ CM If he (PM) says something clearly we will...walk on the way shown by him. We also know the desire of party workers and leaders 
    — SALMAN KHURSHID | 
    EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER