In this file photo from 2014, a boy hold a poster of then Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi (Photo: Reuters)

A BJP minister from Rajasthan shares Congress leaders' elation over Rahul Gandhi's appointment as Congress president.

At an event in Pratapgarh district, Shrichand Kriplani, minister for urban development and housing in Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's government, paid Rahul Gandhi several backhanded compliments, including this one: Rahul is the BJP's star campaigner.

"I think we should congratulate him, he is the star campaigner for the BJP... If we have a star campaigner, then he is Rahul Gandhi only. Our Prime Minister too has congratulated him on becoming the National President," the mantri joked.

Kriplani's jibes drew laughter from an audience which included the district collector and the district superintendent of police. They'd all come together to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the BJP government in Rajasthan.

The minister said Rahul Gandhi would fulfill one of Mahatma Gandhi's dreams: "Before freedom, Congress was not a political party, Congress was an organization of freedom fighters. Mahatma Gandhi had then told Jawaharlal Nehru that you bring an end to Congress and fight elections after forming different political parties, but it was our bad fortune that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru did not adhere to what Gandhi ji had said but today, I thank Rahul Gandhi...that he will fulfill the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi and will leave after finishing Congress party...there is nothing to worry about in this."

Shrichand Kriplani also shared a (somewhat unsurprising) poll prediction a day ahead of the announcement of the Gujarat election result: a BJP win in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state.

Gujarat election exit polls agree with him. They unanimously predict a triumph for the saffron party, but also an increase in seat share for Rahul Gandhi's Congress.

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