Modi, Nitish share dais, Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief seeks votes for ‘iron man’ Advani

Days before the verdict of 2009, in an atmosphere thick with speculation on imminent political realignments, the NDA put up a show of strength and unity Sunday, bringing together on stage Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar, and welcoming Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) into the fold.

TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, who is supposed to be part of a grand alliance with the Telugu Desam Party and the Left in Andhra Pradesh, announced to the rally: “We will not only support NDA with an open heart but also rope in others to support it... You must vote for Lauh Purush L K Advani as the next Prime Minister.”

Modi walked to Kumar and, clasping his hand, raised it in a gesture of comradeship for the cameras. In his speech, Modi referred to the Bihar chief minister — who had just about a month ago said he would not share a dais with the Gujarat CM and there was no need for him to campaign for the JD(U)-BJP in Bihar — as “hamare apne Nitish Kumar”.

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Rahul has qualities needed to be Prime Minister, says Priyanka

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday said her brother Rahul Gandhi would one day become the Prime Minister of the country as he had all the qualities needed for the top post. However, she was quick to add that Manmohan Singh will be the Prime Minister if the Congress is voted to power in the coming elections.

Asked if she herself planned to join politics, Priyanka did not say a direct ‘no’. “I have realised that in politics one should never say no,” she said, and then added: “But I do not see this happening.”

When asked whether she thought Rahul was qualified enough to become the Prime Minister, she told reporters: “I have full faith in my brother. He is hardworking. He means well. He is, according to me, qualified... So, one day he will. He will do a good job of it.”

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