New Delhi, May 8: Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, Arvind Kejriwal, on Wednesday said his party can back Congress President Rahul Gandhi or senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari or West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the next prime minister of the country, but set the precondition. “We will support anyone who promises full statehood for Delhi," Arvind Kejriwal said. Congress-AAP Alliance: There Is No Hope Left for Alliance With INC, Says Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

Speaking to a news channel, Kejriwal said his party's support for a PM face would hinge on support for Delhi's statehood demand. He said his party would be ready to support Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate if Congress promises to endorse full statehood for Delhi. The AAP national convenor added that Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee was also a probable PM candidate. Rahul Gandhi Blames Arvind Kejriwal For No AAP-Congress Alliance, Says Tie-Up Means 'Rout For BJP' in Delhi.

Vowing to wrest power from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah, Kejriwal also said that his party would support union minister Nitin Gadkari for prime minister's post. Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's statement that he loves PM Modi, Kejriwal said he cannot love someone "who plays with the constitution". “Rahul Gandhi might love Modi, but I hate him,” he said.

"I can't love someone who plays with the Constitution, encourages lynching and riots," Kejriwal said, adding he had no interest in becoming the prime minister. The AAP chief's remarks came days after talks failed between the AAP and Congress for an alliance in Delhi Lok Sabha polls.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 08, 2019 07:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).