Rahul, Priyanka credit Sonia for turning down PM post Tuesday, May 18 2004 22:41 Hrs (IST)
New Delhi:
Both Gandhi siblings, Rahul and Priyanka, tonight (May 18, 2004) gave full credit to their mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi for turning down the post of Prime Minister and said it was her own decision.
"I can firmly say that no one in India could have taken such a decision. Had I been in her place, I would also not have been able to do so," said Rahul Gandhi, who has been elected from Amethi.
He said, "As an MP, I think she should become Prime Minister, but as a son, I respect my mother's decision."
When Priyanka Vadra was asked about Congress members' request the children to persuade their mother to revoke her decision, she said, "We will go home and discuss it.... she (Sonia) will think about it, but I can't say anything about what her decision would be."
Priyanka said her mother had heeded the voice of her conscience and what she had done was in keeping with the rich Indian culture and traditions.
Rahul said after his win in Amethi about a week ago, he had spoken to his mother and she had said what she had thought about six years back, which was to serve the country, she still stuck to it.