Manmohan is my 'guru', says Rahul Gandhi

This comes after Rahul's comment on convicted lawmakers was seen as a snub to the Prime Minister

Days after his public criticism of the government over ordinance on convicted lawmakers, Rahul Gandhi today sought to mollify Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying he is "my guru" and "a man with good intent".

Addressing a public meeting here in Punjab, he also hit out at the BJP for questioning the timing of his statement on the ordinance saying this cannot be an issue for speaking the truth.

"When I met Manmohan Singh ji after the ordinance, I told him that I have learnt a lot from you. I have two gurus in my life - Congress President and Manmohan Singh. You have given me one guru. What Manmohan Singh has done for India and Punjab has given to the nation, no one has given," he said after the foundation stone laying of a cancer hospital.

"Agar niyat kharaab hai to kuchh nahin hoga, agar niyat saaf hai to sab kuchh hoga. Manmohan Singh ji ki niyat bilkul saaf hai (If the intent is bad, nothing will happen. If the intent is clear, everything will happen. Manmohan Singh ji is a man with good intent)," Gandhi said while showering praise on the Prime Minister.

The Congress Vice President's remarks assume significance as his public outburst last month against the ordinance that sought to provide immunity to convicted lawmakers was seen as a snub to the Prime Minister as it had been cleared by the Cabinet headed by Singh.

Lauding Punjab and its farmers for providing food to the country, the Congress Vice President said the Right to Food to everyone in the country would not be possible without Punjab's farmers.

Gandhi also talked about the plight of Sikh farmers ousted from Gujarat and accused the Akali government in the state of not standing for their rights and taking up the matter with its ally.