Robert Vadra ready to take political plunge

AMETHI,Febrauary7,2012: While Priyanka Gandhi still remains wary of the electoral fray, her businessman-husband Robert Vadra has no such fears. On Monday he said he was ready to enter mainstream politics if he thought he was "in a position to make a change for the people he represents". "Only then will I take a decision to join politics," Vadra added. This isn't the first time Vadra has voiced his eagerness to enter electoral politics. In October 2010, he had told TOI in an exclusive interview, "I can definitely win (an election) from anywhere, but I am a businessman ... There is a time and place for everything. If I feel that I know enough about this line (politics) ... then why not?" Vadra's remarks came during Priyanka's roadshow in UP, at a press interaction on the sidelines of a Congress rally in Amethi, Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha constituency. Election 2012, Vadra declared, is as crucial as any other election. "Each election is important. But this is certainly not a do-or-die one for Rahul," Vadra said. Priyanka will take her own call Vadra was also non-committal about Priyanka's political career, especially after her comment that she could step out of the family constituencies of Amethi and Rae Bareli if Rahul asked her to. "This is entirely Priyanka's call and only she would decide. It's up to her," Vadra said. A Congress spokesman, when asked about Vadra's comment on his role in politics, said he had not seen the press conference despite the fact that it was shown on most TV channels for the better part of Monday. BJP's Shahnawaz Hussain said, "This is an internal matter of the (Gandhi) family. BJP would not like to comment on it." Hussain went on to say, "Rahul is not so older than Priyanka. There is not much age difference between them and they are contemporaries. So, Priyanka cannot join politics after Rahul (completes his innings in politics)." Vadra reached Amethi with his daughter on Sunday night, where Priyanka is camped for the last three days. Lending a helping hand, he flagged off a motorcycle rally from Gauriganj. He said he was there to carry forward Rahul's message to the masses, although both Rahul and Priyanka, he added, did not require any such help. Vadra also addressed the electorate in Salon assembly segment. Praising the changes brought about among Amethi's women, Vadra said that their confidence level had risen several notches in the last 15 years. He attributed this transformation to economic empowerment brought about by the thriving network of self-help groups. He also said he wanted his daughter to notice the changes at the grassroots. Asked whether it was time for Rahul to become PM, Vadra said he could not speak on the issue. According to Congress sources, Rahul is also scheduled to address three meetings on February 11: in Sultanpur, Gauriganj and Rae Bareli where polling is on February 15.