Why Is Rahul Gandhi Contesting Elections? Congress' AK Antony Reveals

why is rahul gandhi contesting elections? congress’ ak antony reveals

Rahul Gandhi is not in the race to be Prime Minister, Congress veteran AK Antony said Friday. The former defence minister added that the Wayanad candidate was contesting the elections to protect the Constitution and that he “would go to any extent” for that.

Speaking at a book launch event of ‘Rahul Gandhi: Undaunted by Challenges’ by N Asokan, Antony also said that Rahul was a strong decision-maker and that his decisions were not impacted by circumstances.

“Rahul Gandhi is not contesting to become the Prime Minister. He is contesting to protect the basic structure of the Indian Constitution. He will go to any extent to fight for that. In the history of Congress, this is the lowest seats Congress has ever contested in. He created the INDIA alliance to defeat the Modi government,” Antony said.

“Whatever obstacles he may face, his decisions are never affected,” the former defence minister remarked, adding, “After he resigned as the president of AICC, even when Sonia Gandhi asked him, he denied the presidentship.”

Antony recounted Rahul Gandhi’s journey into politics, revealing that the 53-year-old initially had little interest in the field, akin to his father’s disposition. However, he joined the Congress party at the insistence of those around him, primarily for his mother’s sake.

“Rahul Gandhi was not interested in politics. He was just like his father, least interested in politics. He came to India, was forced by everyone around him and he joined Congress for his mother.”

Reflecting on Rahul’s transformative journey, Antony credited the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra for reshaping his public image from ‘Pappu’ to a decisive leader.

“Bharat Jodo Yatra made him Rahul Gandhi from ‘Pappu’. Thats when people realised who Rahul Gandhi was. He started a campaign to protect the constitution of the country. To protect the secularism of the country.

“When there was violence in Manipur, Rahul Gandhi was the first national leader to visit Manipur. He visited the families in Manipur and Imphal. He visited the religious institutions. He proved his decision making once again.”

The book, launched by senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, delves into Rahul Gandhi’s experiences and the challenges that propelled him into politics. It sheds light on his childhood observations of pivotal historical events.