http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120720/jsp/frontpage/story_15750903.jsp#.UAlmgGEe5GY

Rahul lifts, Pawar sinks Cong spirits - Scion agrees to new role, ally strikes

SANJAY K. JHA

Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar New Delhi, July 19: Rahul Gandhi made the Congress's day in the morning and Sharad Pawar spoiled it in the evening. Rahul confirmed that he was ready to accept a larger role in the party or the government as decided by the Prime Minister and the Congress president. Hours later, Sharad Pawar and his party colleague Praful Patel skipped the cabinet meeting and refused to either confirm or deny reports that they have sent resignation letters to the Prime Minister. ( ) Pique over the Congress's refusal to accord the No. 2 position to Pawar after the departure of Pranab Mukherjee from the government was cited as the reason behind the NCP rebellion. However, some Congress sources felt that the "No. 2" question was too much of a non-issue to boycott cabinet meetings and quit ministries. They saw a link between the possibility of Rahul's imminent entry into the government and the jockeying for position by the NCP. A ministry shuffle is expected any time and it will not hurt Pawar if the Congress tries to appease him by offering a berth to his daughter and MP Supriya Sule, the sources said. The government's reluctance to clear some proposals was also cited as a possible reason behind Pawar's unhappiness. NCP leaders, too, suggested that the No. 2 question was not the real issue. "The pecking order was not the case as Pawar had never sought any position. Issues (for skipping the meeting) were much higher," NCP spokesperson D.P. Tripathi said. For the Congress, the morning had brought happier tidings. Rahul's announcement buoyed the party leadership that was getting frustrated with his reluctance to take the plunge despite spending more than eight years in active politics. The Telegraph had reported on Tuesday that Rahul was set to become a cabinet minister and most likely to get one of the top berths so that he could be part of the cabinet committee on security (CCS) and the Congress core group. This morning, told by a television channel about the perceived desire of the rank and file that he play a more pro-active role, Rahul, who was coming out after voting in the presidential election in Parliament, said: "I have decided. But what role is a matter of discussion between the leadership." Asked when he would assume the new role, Rahul said: "That depends on my two bosses, the Prime Minister and the party president." Sonia Gandhi was present when the conversation took place. Congress chief spokesperson Janardan Dwivedi promptly issued a statement: "We will be happy if Rahul Gandhi takes some more responsibility and it will be a welcome step." The party statement added: "What responsibility (whether in the government or in the party) and when is up to the party leadership and Rahul to decide." The party did not clarify whether he will join the government or take a bigger role in the organisation. But senior party leaders said the significant change in Rahul's attitude was that he had left the government option open. "So far, he was not ready to even consider the government option. Now he is willing to accept this proposal. This is the most significant change made public today," a leader said, explaining that Rahul was number two in the party in any case. Although Congress leaders remained tight-lipped on the exact plan, sources said he would join the government in the next shuffle. Asked if Rahul could continue to be a general secretary in the AICC in addition to being a minister, a senior leader said: "The formal statement suggests it would either be the government or the party. It is unlikely that he would take both the responsibilities." The Congress has a one-man-one-post rule but it is violated wantonly. Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mukul Wasnik continue to hold party posts despite being ministers. There was fierce speculation in some sections of the party about Rahul getting a larger role in the party as working president or vice-president. But insiders said such speculation was based on wrong information. One leader felt that Rahul could be given a different kind of assignment, bigger than his present charge of frontal organisations, if he chose not to join the government. Any duty in the mainstream organisation would mean a larger role as he cannot become the party president as long as Sonia stays in active politics. But that is not what the dominant section of Sonia loyalists wants as part of their preparation to see Rahul as the next Prime Minister. They feel that making him a minister is a more practical option as he requires some administrative experience. Some leaders read a clue in Rahul's reference to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and Sonia collectively decide only on the cabinet. Manmohan does not dabble in party matters and he has expressed his desire several times in the past to induct Rahul into his ministry. No clarity was forthcoming on the timing of these changes, either. But senior leaders said there would not be any significant delay after making this plan public and the shuffle would take place as soon as possible, definitely before September. Some leaders feel it may happen within the next few days.