Calling for making the present political system a more “open” one, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi admitted that he has an edge in politics due to his surname.
Congress leader admits that Gandhi name helped him climb the political ladder rapidly
MANGALORE: Calling for making the present political system a more “open” one, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi admitted that he has an edge in politics due to his surname.
Gandhi said that his progress in the present Indian political system would not have been easy if he was not “connected to somebody”. The Congress leader, who was addressing students of Manipal College at the TMA Pai International Convention Centre here, added, “I am a prominent face of the problem.”
Replying to a query by a student whether he would have joined politics if he was just a normal youth without the Gandhi surname, he said, “I would try to be in politics but progress would not have been easy if I was not connected to somebody.”
Taking part in an hour long discussion with students whom he termed as future leaders, Gandhi agreed with the observation that the “present political system was a closed system and also one that is destructive.” He called on the students to challenge the present system to bring about a change and said, “With your help, we would like to bring these changes.”
On a five-day tour of poll bound Karnataka, Gandhi has planned his programme with several interactions with students and youths. The interactions range from those with tribals, fishermen to IT professionals, engineering students and differently-abled children.
Talking to the students on crucial issues including the Indo-US nuclear deal, Gandhi said he was “gaining knowledge of politics” and added “it is time to look at the rest of the world not as a challenge but as an opportunity to advance and succeed.”
Asked if Mahatma Gandhi was an inspiration in politics for him, he said, “I like to choose the good in everybody as opposed to the bad.”
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