CSM Nagar (Amethi): Going into campaign mode
in this Gandhi family bastion, Priyanka Gandhi's husband
Robert Vadra on Monday indicated he was not averse to joining
politics, saying he will fight elections if people desired.
"I would definitely contest if the people so desired,"
Vadra said.
Vadra was asked whether he had any plans to join
politics during an informal chat with reporters.
Priyanka sought to downplay her businessman-husband's
comments by suggesting he had no intention of taking up
politics and appeared to blame the media.
"Look, you (media) must have asked him a twisted
question and then misinterpreted it. Robertji is very happy
doing his business and in my opinion he must have said that he
is happy in his business,” she said.
Vadra also said, "There is a time for everything. This
is the time for Rahul. Then there will be time for Priyanka.
The whole family has been with Amethi, UP and the whole
country.
"You will see everything will happen in its own time. It
is her wish," he said.
When the daughter of Sonia Gandhi was asked to comment
on this remark, she said, "You(media) repeatedly ask him why
he's stopping me (from entering politics); he must have answered
that."
The AICC feigned ignorance about Vadra's comments.
"I do not know about it. I have not seen or heard it. I
can't react without seeing," party spokesperson Abhishek
Singhvi told reporters in Delhi.
Pressed further on the issue, he asked the reporters to
wait for tomorrow.
Vadra stressed that he is lending support as a family
member to take forward Rahul's message, though both Rahul and
Priyanka do not require any help.
"I have come to share and take Rahul's message to
villages and every corner and you will definitely see a
change," he said.
Vadhra arrived here along with his daughter last night
in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh and took part in a rally in
Gauriganj this morning and later addressed the electorate in
Salon Assembly segment of Amethi.
To a question whether it was time for Rahul to become
the prime minister, Vadra said that he could not speak on the
issue and that he would himself reply to it.
BJP declined to comment on Vadra's statement that
he is not averse to entering politics if the people want him
to.
"This is an internal matter of the family. BJP would
not like to comment on it," party spokesperson Shahnawaz
Hussain said when asked about Vadra's comments.
However, BJP did react to Vadra's comments on Priyanka's
prospects of entering politics.
Hussain said, "Rahul Gandhi is not so elder to Priyanka.
There is not much age difference between them and they are
contemporaries. So, Priyanka cannot join politics after Rahul
(completes his innings)."
PTI
First Published: Monday, February 06, 2012, 12:47