Rahul is right alternative to divisive Modi, says Tharoor

Strongly backing Rahul Gandhi for the prime minister’s post, Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said people with lesser credentials than the Congress vice-president have in the past turned out to be good leaders and Gandhi was the ''right alternative'' to a ''divisive force like Modi''.

Tharoor described the contest between Gandhi and Modi as one between “a potential democrat” and “a potential anarchist”, respectively.

He said the Congress vice-president was the “unifying force in the large tent which is the Congress. “He is the right alternative against a divisive force like Modi,” he said.

But Tharoor admitted that the Gujarat chief minister was attracting allies. In an interview to a television channel, Tharoor was asked why Gandhi and not more educated, more experienced, more knowledgeable leaders were not being projected by the party.

“People with lesser credentials than Rahul have made good leaders. The Congress has a solid bench strength which will help Rahul give direction. The Congress has a very good leadership team,” he said. Tharoor said he himself had wondered how Rajiv Gandhi, a pilot, could lead the country, but Rajiv did an outstanding job. “The fact is, credentials are your performance, not your resume. What are Narendra Modi’s credentials?” he asked. Tharoor said Rahul Gandhi had proved his credentials by transforming the Youth Congress and his decision to hold primaries to choose candidates for the polls.