Rahul reaches out to PM after outburst

Says he realises his views on ordinance not in sync with that of Cabinet, Core Group

After a public outburst critical of the government, Rahul Gandhi reached out to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying that he has the "greatest admiration" for his leadership in extremely difficult circumstances.

Gandhi, who publicly called the ordinance to protect convicted MPs and MLAs from immediate disqualification as complete nonsense, causing tremors in the government, said he realised that what he felt about the ordinance was not in harmony with the Cabinet's decision and the Core Group's view.

"You know that I have the highest respect for you and I look up to you for your wisdom. I have nothing but the greatest admiration for the manner in which you are providing leadership in extremely difficult circumstances. I hope you will understand the strength of my own conviction about this very controversial issue," Gandhi said in his letter.

PMO sources said the letter was written by Gandhi after his public criticism of the government on the ordinance issue here in the afternoon.

Congress made the letter public hours after Gandhi made the comments attacking the government's position and the Prime Minister had disclosed that he had received a communication from the party Vice President.

Gandhi said, "I realise that what I feel about the Ordinance is not in harmony with the Cabinet decision and the Core Group's view. I also know it would be exploited by our political opponents."

Congress President Sonia Gandhi also spoke over telephone to Singh, who is away in US on a visit.