Sonia should continue as Congress Prez: Amarinder on eve of poll outcome

New Delhi: Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said Sonia Gandhi should continue as party President irrespective of tomorrow's poll outcome in the five states.

Singh, a former Punjab Chief Minister and a sitting MP, at the same time said that Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi can step into Sonia's shoes if she feels that time has come for her to go and that she is "tired" of being at the helm of the party since 1997.

Exit polls have projected Congress losing power in Assam and Kerala.

"No, not at all," Singh said when asked whether time has come for Rahul to take over as Congress President in the backdrop of suggestions in this regard with Sonia assuming the role of 'Chairman Emeritus'. "I have worked very closely with Sonia and I think she is a great leader."

Singh, who returned as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) President in November last, said Sonia believed in modern concept of management.

Singh said any decision on elevating Rahul is for him and Sonia to take.

"She(Sonia) has been non-stop in this role since 1997 and she may be tired, may be she feels that time has come that she wants to go and that she is tired of handling this. And in this case the Vice President can take over and Rahul can handle it," he said.

"It has been years since Rahul has been in his current role. I am sure he can step into her shoes," he added.

Singh also denied reports of a rift with strategist Prashant Kishor who has been roped in by the Congress to hammer out strategies for the party for the Assembly polls in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh due next year.

"100 per cent. Things are 100 per cent fine. We've been together for the whole of yesterday, been together whole of this morning. We have no differences whatsoever," he asserted when asked whether all is well between him and Kishor in the light of reports of a rift between them.

Meanwhile, Congress workers on Wednesday staged a protest outside Kapoor's house in suburban Bandra and also pelted stones and shouted slogans against the actor to protest his tweets against the Gandhi family.

The NCP too took strong objection to Kapoor's tweets on naming major assets after the Gandhi family.

"He seems to have forgotten his legendary father Raj Kapoor's association with former PM Indira Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi, Indira and Rajiv Gandhi have laid down their lives for the nation so there is nothing wrong is naming assets after them," NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said.

"The Kapoor brothers have amassed large fortune over the years and if Rishi Kapoor wants an asset in his father's name, the family should spend some money for the welfare of people," he added.