New Delhi, Jan 4: Veteran politician and former Union minister Karan Singh asserts that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is “learning on the job” and making progress, while also praising Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as a “bright girl”.
In a recent conversation with PTI Videos, 93-year-old Singh, who was a ‘Sadar-e-Riyasat (constitutional head)’ of the former Jammu and Kashmir state, reflected on his connections with four generations of the Nehru-Gandhi family since Independence.
When asked about Rahul Gandhi, particularly in light of the Congress party’s disappointing performance in the recent assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, Singh remarked, “Rahul is a very nice young man. I have a lot of affection for him.”
The former ambassador to the US indicated that while Rahul Gandhi used to maintain close contact with him, “he hasn’t been in such close touch recently”.
“But I believe he is improving,” Singh noted.
“Every year, he shows improvement. I think he is learning through experience,” he added, while acknowledging that speculating on his potential to become prime minister was uncertain.
“However, he possesses significant potential and has time to prepare himself,” the former Union minister affirmed.
Singh, who has known Priyanka Gandhi Vadra since her youth, did not hold back in his praise for her as well. “She is a bright girl. She shines. She is exceptionally bright,” he stated.
The former Union minister, who joined Indira Gandhi’s Cabinet at the age of 36, described Jawaharlal Nehru as his “mentor”.
“…I served with her (Indira Gandhi) for 10 years in the Cabinet. I witnessed her greatest achievement, the Bangladesh liberation, and her darkest period, the Emergency. ‘Sab dekha hai (have seen it all)’,” he mentioned.
Singh expressed that the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 was a devastating tragedy, believing he “would have led India into the 21st century” had he lived.
An enthusiastic music lover, Singh still engages in singing and practices ‘riyaz (systematic practice)’ once a week.
He revealed that his name was considered for the presidency in 2006, but this was dismissed by the Left parties.
According to Singh, Sonia Gandhi nominated him during a meeting in 2006, but the Left parties objected, saying, “How can we have a ‘maharaja’ as president?”
Pratibha Patil assumed the presidency in 2007.
Nonetheless, Singh, who has held roles in the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and UNESCO, expressed no regrets about not being made president. (Agencies)
