12

Jan

 Rahul  ‘learning on job’ , Priyanka a ‘bright girl’, says Karan Singh

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Dr Satish Misra

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New Delhi | Monday | 13 January 2025

Former Union Minister Dr Karan Singh, who has donned many a hats in his over 8 decades of public service, has stated that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is "learning on the job" and improving while showering praise on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, calling her a "bright girl".

In a recent interaction with news agency’s audio-visual programme, 93-year-old Singh, former 'Sadar-e-Riyasat (constitutional head)' of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state, spoke about his association with four generations of the Nehru-Gandhi family since Independence.

Asked about Rahul Gandhi, who faces tough questions after the Congress' debacle in the assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, Singh said, "Rahul is a very nice young man. I am very fond of him." The former ambassador to the US said Rahul Gandhi used to be in close touch with him but "recently he has not been in such close touch".

"But he is improving, I think," he said.

"Every year, he is improving. I think he is learning on the job," Singh said and added that whether he would become the prime minister or not was a matter of speculation.

 

Article at a Glance
Former Union Minister Dr. Karan Singh, at 93, praised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his growth, stating he is "learning on the job" and improving over time. Singh, who has a long association with the Nehru-Gandhi family, expressed fondness for Rahul, despite recent distance in their relationship. He acknowledged Rahul's potential and emphasized that he has time to prepare for future leadership roles. Singh also lauded Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as a "bright girl" with a sparkling personality, having known her since childhood. Reflecting on his political journey, Singh recalled his experiences with Indira Gandhi and the tragedy of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. He shared that his name was considered for the presidency in 2006 but was ultimately rejected due to opposition from Left parties. Despite this, Singh expressed no regrets about not becoming president, highlighting his enduring passion for music and public service.

 

"But he has got good potential and has time to prepare himself," the former Union minister added.

Singh, who has known Priyanka Gandhi Vadra since her childhood, also did not hold back in praising her. "She is a bright girl. She sparkles. She is very bright." The former Union minister, who was inducted into Indira Gandhi's Cabinet at the age of 36, also termed first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru as his "mentor".

"...I was with her (Indira Gandhi) for 10 years in the Cabinet. I saw her finest moment, Bangladesh (liberation), and her darkest moment, the Emergency. 'Sab dekha hai (have seen it all)'," he said.

Singh also said Rajiv Gandhi's 1991 assassination was a terrible tragedy, believing that he "would have taken India into the 21st century" at that point of time.

An avid music lover, Singh still sings and does 'riyaz (systematic practice)' once a week.

He disclosed that his candidature for the post of president was considered in 2006 but it was struck down by the Left parties.

According to Singh, Sonia Gandhi had proposed his name during a meeting in 2006 but the Left parties said, "How can we have a 'maharaja' as a president?" Pratibha Patil became president in 2007.

However, Singh, who has served in the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and UNESCO, said he had no regrets at not having been made president.

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