Baghel, Kamal Nath endorses Rahul as prime ministerial candidate

New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi is being projected as a candidate for prime minister by Congress leaders, who are encouraged by the success of the "Bharat Jodo Yatra."

Following in the footsteps of former Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath, current Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has stated that as a party supporter, he prefers that Rahul Gandhi lead over the 2024 general election.

Though Congress leaders want Rahul Gandhi to be projected as the prime ministerial candidate in 2024, the BJP says it's only a daydream.

Without opposing Rahul Gandhi's candidature for the Prime Minister post, Congress' alliance partner and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have said that he doesn't have any problem but everything will be decided when the opposition parties will sit together.

Rahul Gandhi, in his recent media interactions, also batted for unity between the opposition parties, saying, "... what I am hearing on the ground and what I am seeing, it will become very difficult for the BJP to win the election if the opposition stands effectively." The Congress leader, however, cautioned, "... but the opposition has to coordinate properly and the opposition has to go to the people with an alternative vision."

He added that there is "huge undercurrent against the BJP..."

Rahul Gandhi said that there were many like-minded parties who want harmony in the country. "I know Akhikesh ji and Mayawati ji want India to be free of hatred and want harmony in the country."

He asserted that the fight between BJP and Congress is no more a tactical political fight. "Opposition needs a central ideological framework that only Congress can provide but our role is also to make sure that opposition parties feel comfortable."

For example, the Samajwadi Party has a position in Uttar Pradesh but its idea will not work in Kerala and Karnataka. Only the Congress can give a national vision while respecting the opposition leaders," he added."

I want the BJP and the RSS to attack us aggressively, this will help the Congress party understand the ideology. In a way I consider them my guru, they are showing me the way, training me on what not to do," the Congress leader said recently at a press conference.

Regarding his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi said that the foundation of the mega-walkathon is "love, affection and to erase hatred in the nation".

The yatra will resume on Tuesday and enter Uttar Pradesh after which it will proceed to Haryana, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

With inputs from IANS