'Sonia Gandhi Should've Become PM In 2004, Else Sharad Pawar': Union Minister

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale suggested that instead of Manmohan Singh, Mrs Gandhi should have picked Sharad Pawar as the Prime Minister.

Sonia Gandhi. (File Photo)

New Delhi: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has said that Sonia Gandhi should have been the Prime Minister when the Congress-led UPA won the election in 2004. He suggested that instead of Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi should have picked Sharad Pawar as the Prime Minister.

"Sonia Gandhi should have been the PM when UPA (United Progressive Alliance) came to power. If Kamala Harris can become US Vice President why can't Sonia Gandhi become Prime Minister? (She) is an Indian citizen, wife of former PM Rajiv Gandhi, and a member of Lok Sabha," Ramdas Athawale was quoted by ANI in its report.

The Minister further said any question on the foreign roots of Mrs Gandhi is "meaningless".

"When the UPA got a majority in the 2004 election, I had proposed that Sonia Gandhi should become prime minister. I was of the view that her foreign origin issue had no meaning," Athawale said.

Union Minister Athawale also said that if Sonia Gandhi was not prepared to take the top post at that time, she should have at least picked Sharad Pawar.

"Pawar should have been made Prime Minister instead of Manmohan Singh but Sonia Gandhi did not do so," Athawale said.

As per the Union Minister, if Congress would have picked Sharad Pawar as the Prime Minister it would be in a stronger position, unlike the mess it finds itself in at this time.

(With inputs from ANI)