Sonia, Rahul satisfied with leadership of PM: Jaiswal

With his remarks on the Congress general secretary creating a flutter, Union Minister Shri Prakash Jaiswal today sought to do some damage control by saying that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were "totally satisfied" with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's performance and there was no question of change in leadership.

"The difficult circumstances under which Singh took charge of the prime ministership is commendable and everybody including party chief Sonia Gandhi and general secretary Rahul Gandhi are totally satisfied with his performance," the Coal Minister told reporters here.

"There is no better leader than Singh to rule the country at this point of time and party wants him to continue with his good work," he added.

Jaiswal, meanwhile, said Rahul wants to serve the country and is not fascinated for any post, be that of the prime minister or the chief minister.

"As far as Rahul Gandhi is concerned, the Congress general secretary just wants to serve people of the country and Uttar Pradesh. He is neither fascinated nor is trying to get any post, be it the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister," Jaiswal said and accused the media of taking his comments out of context.

When asked about who will be the next prime minister if Congress retains power in 2014 general elections, Jaiswal said, "I don't know how things will stand at that time and who will become the PM."

It will be upto Rahul in next elections that whether he wants to become PM or not, the Union Minister added.

Yesterday, Jaiswal had created a flutter when he said in Mathura that Rahul Gandhi could become Prime Minister "even at midnight if he so desires".

"Rahul Gandhi can become Prime Minister at 12 tonight and no one can stop that from happening. But neither does he want to become the Prime Minister nor the Chief Minister," he had said addressing a public rally at Mathura.