Major obstacles in Rahul's way to PM post

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday he is ready to occupy the prime minister's post if his party emerges as the "biggest party" in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, making known his ambition for the topmost executive post.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Photo: File

NEW DELHI: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday he is ready to occupy the prime minister's post if his party emerges as the "biggest party" in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, making known his ambition for the topmost executive post. This is not the first time Gandhi has spoken about his prime ministerial ambition. In an interaction at the Berkley University in the US in September last year, Gandhi had said he was "absolutely ready" to be the prime ministerial candidate of the Congress in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. But is it so easy for Rahul Gandhi to occupy the prime minister's chair? No, the road ahead isn't smooth for the Gandhi scion. First, he has to make sure his party wins an adequate number of seats in the 2019 elections. Second, he has to unite the opposition over his name. The three faces that may block Rahul's way to the top post are: Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati and Tejashwi Yadav. These three leaders may have been backing the Congress party but when the d-day will arrive, it would be difficult for Rahul and his party to overcome them. Akhilesh Yadav Many Samajwadi party leaders see Akhilesh Yadav as the future prime minister. Many songs, in praise of the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, are going viral on the social media. "PM bane Akhilesh, Hindustan chahta," (India want's to see Akhilesh as PM), lyrics of one of the songs says. Moreover, Akhilesh is conducting meetings with leaders of other political parties to discuss non-BJP, non-Congress front. Mayawati BSP supremo Mayawati is senior to both Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav. Being a Dalit face, she will play an important role in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Her party workers project Mayawati as a prime ministerial candidate. She had joined hands with Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh to counter BJP's winning streak. Tejashwi Yadav The fiery RJD leader has served as a deputy chief minister of Bihar in the Nitish Kumar-led grand alliance government in Bihar. He is currently the leader of the opposition in the state assembly. With his father Lalu Yadav serving a jail term in fodder scam cases, Tejashwi has been leading the RJD from the front. Apart from these, Rahul's biggest challenge in 2019 will be to put up a fight against Narendra Modi, who continues to be the most popular leader in the country. Under Modi's leadership in 2014, the BJP secured a landslide victory and the Congress was reduced to its worst ever seat tally. Party chief Amit Shah has predicted that in 2019, the BJP will retain power in the Centre and would secure 50 per cent vote share across the country.