Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Rahul Gandhi Won't Be Projected as PM Candidate by Congress, Says P Chidambaram

New Delhi, October 22: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said the party president Rahul Gandhi won't be projected as the prime ministerial candidate in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Chidambaram said the priority of the Congress is to form a grand alliance to remove Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre.

“We never said that we want Rahul Gandhi to be prime minister. When few Congressmen were talking about it, the AICC intervened and stopped such talk," Chidambaram said in an interview. “We want an alliance to be formed. The alliance partners will decide the Prime minister after the election,” the former finance minister added. Rahul Gandhi Attacks PM Narendra Modi Ahead of Assembly Elections 2018: 'BJP Works for Few Rich, Congress Thinks of Poor'.

Chidambaram said the Congress wants an alternative government "which is progressive, respects freedom of individuals, doesn’t indulge in tax terrorism, gives protection to women and children, and uplifts farmers". He also accused the Modi government of using 'threatening tactics' to keep regional parties from joining hands with the Congress.

Earlier this month, Rahul Gandhi had said he was willing to become prime minister if allies want him. "We have had discussions with allies and what we decided is that this is a two-stage process stage — one is to get together and defeat BJP and stage two is, once the election is over then we will decide what happens," the Congress president had said at an event.

When asked further about the possibility of him becoming prime minister, Gandhi had said, "If they (allies) want me, sure... I will."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 22, 2018 12:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).