'Rahul Gandhi acknowledged leader of Congress': Imran Masood backtracks on Priyanka remark

Congress MP from Saharanpur, Imran Masood

• Imran Masood clarified Rahul Gandhi is Congress leader after Priyanka PM remark
• Congress addressed confusion over Masood's comments following AICC intervention
• Robert Vadra said Priyanka Gandhi has a bright future and may reach top office

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After he said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would make for a great Prime Minister, Congress leader Imran Masood said Rahul Gandhi is the acknowledged leader of the party, according to Times of India.

Masood clarified that he was asked a question about Priyanka in the context of Bangladesh and his response was regarding it. "Rahul Gandhi is the leader of Congress, and he is also the leader of Priyanka... Rahul and Priyanka are grandchildren of Indira Gandhi. If they had the command, Hindus in Bangladesh would not have faced the situation that they are facing now (while BJP is in office). That's all I said,” said Masood.

Earlier, Masood had said, "Is Priyanka Gandhi the Prime Minister? Make her the PM and see how she will retaliate like Indira Gandhi. She is the granddaughter of Indira, who inflicted so much damage on Pakistan that those wounds still haven't healed."

According to the TOI report, the clarification came after a nudge from the All India Congress Committee. The Congress wanted to address the confusion that Masood's response caused. The BJP said Masood’s comment showed the opposition party's lack of confidence in Rahul.

Meanhwile, Priyanka's husband Robert Vadra said  Priyanka has a bright future in politics, and a time will come when people would like to see her at the top office.

"When she speaks, she speaks from the heart. I think she has a bright future in politics and a bright future in changing what is required on the ground... This will happen in time, it's inevitable.”

He also added that she does not merely put forward her own ideas but represents the ideas of the people.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesman Shehzad Poonawalla said that  Masood has clearly said he does not have faith in Rahul anymore and sought to bring Priyanka in his place. "Then an endorsement to this came from Robert Vadra, who said, 'Yes, it is correct'."Congress is wary of "Rahul vs Priyanka" headlines, realising that overzealous supporters of the Gandhi siblings end up offering an opportunity to rival BJP," he said.