Days after the Congress expelled former Odisha MLA Mohammed Moquim from the party for suggesting that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should take up a national leadership role, the party’s Saharanpur MP created a stir on Tuesday after he said the Congress general secretary and Wayand MP would make for a great Prime Minister like her grandmother Indira Gandhi.
The BJP latched onto Masood’s comments to a news agency, saying he had expressed his lack of faith in Priyanka’s brother and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi.
This has come at a time when Priyanka made an impact with her speeches in Parliament during the Winter Session of Parliament — first, during the Vande Mataram debate and then while opposing the introduction of the VB-G RAM G Bill.
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Masood speaks to The Indian Express about his comments, Priyanka’s role in the party, and Rahul Gandhi. Excerpts:
You have said Priyanka Gandhi will make a great PM. But isn’t Rahul Gandhi, as the LoP, the party’s prospective PM face?
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You must understand the context in which I made the statement. I was asked about Priyanka Gandhi and the violence in Bangladesh. I said if Priyanka Gandhi were the PM, she would have answered (Bangladesh). I said that make her the PM and you will see what kind of answer she gives to Bangladesh, just like Indira Gandhi (gave to Pakistan). The statement was taken out of context. It had nothing to do with Rahul Gandhi, who is our leader. He is also the leader of Priyanka Gandhi.
During the Winter Session, Priyanka’s speeches made the headlines and were widely discussed. Does she need a bigger role in party?
She connects very well with the public. Everything about her has a glimpse of Indira Gandhi. That is why I said she would give a great reply to Bangladesh, like her grandmother, who created Bangladesh. As far as Rahul Gandhi is concerned, they are both Indira Gandhi’s grandchildren. Both of them are like our eyes and the reflections of Indira Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi is a visionary.
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The Congress recently expelled its former Barabati-Cuttack MLA from Odisha, Mohammed Moquim, for “anti-party activities” after he flagged a “leadership crisis” nationally and urged for a central role for Priyanka Gandhi. Isn’t that what you want?
I don’t know the context in which he said it. My statement was a very specific one to a question. That Priyanka Gandhi is not the PM, and if she were made the PM, she would give a reply to Bangladesh. That is all I said.
But do you see her taking up a more central role in the Congress?
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In whatever role she has, she is my leader, and whatever she assigns to me, I will do. I am a small commander. I don’t have to see or think beyond this.
During the session, some leaders in the party have pointed out Priyanka’s cool and calm demeanour, drawing a contrast with that of Rahul. Is it fair or accurate?
I disagree (with the comparison). Rahul ji is very soft-spoken and never gets angry. If the government understands and does what Rahul Gandhi has been saying, the country’s problems will be over. The economy has been made consumer-based. He is saying it should be production-based. If this is understood, the problems will disappear.