Manish Tewari non-committal on UPA's PM candidate for 2014

Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari on Monday played safe on the contradictions within the party with regard to the UPA's Prime Ministerial candidate for 2014, saying it would not be appropriate to make any comment in this regard after Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh having reiterated his views on it.

"As far as the development and progress of the last 10 years in concerned, there has been progress and development in every area. There has been empowerment of the people. The people have joined the economic mainstream and have been empowered socially," said Tewari, when asked whether the contradiction within the party and government over the leadership will have an impact on the UPA's flagship 'Bharat Nirman' programme with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh reiterating that Rahul Gandhi would be the ideal face for 2014.

"As far as the question of leadership is concerned, the honourable Prime Minister has not said this for the first time. He has earlier also reiterated this. So whenever the Prime Minister makes a statement, I don't think that we should make any comment on it," he added.

As the Lok Sabha polls approaches, the Congress-led UPA II Government is going all out to highlight its achievements.

The UPA will launch a special website on its flagship programme 'Bharat Nirman' as part of this mission. The portal will contain information about key initiatives taken by the government, including the recently passed bills like the Food Security Bill and the Land Acquisition Bill.

Dr. Singh had earlier on Saturday said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi would be an ideal choice for the Prime Minister's post after 2014, and added that he would be happy to work for the party under his leadership.

"I have always maintained that Rahul Gandhiji would be an ideal choice for Prime Minister's post after 2014 elections," Dr. Singh said onboard Air India-1 when asked if he would be looking to run for a third term in office.

"I would be happy to work for the Congress party under the leadership of Mr. Rahul Gandhi," he added.

Dr. Singh, who was talking to the media while returning home from the G20 Summit in St. Petersburg, had earlier in June praised Rahul Gandhi, and said that the latter is a national leader.

"I will be very happy to see Rahul step into my shoes... I have always believed Rahul is fit enough to be a leader of the UPA - that is not a question of any speculation," said Dr. Singh, while expressing confidence that the UPA will get a third term.

Earlier this year, Rahul Gandhi was elevated to the number two position in the Congress Party after being appointed its vice-president.