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Updated: Jun 29, 2014 01:13 IST

Controversy over his reluctance to lead the party from the front refuses to leave Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

This time, Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh said Gandhi does not have a ruling temperament and he should not have taken up the post of the leader of Congress party in Lok Sabha.

In an interview with a Goan news channel, Singh said, “He is not a ruler by temperament. By temperament he is a person, who wants to fight injustice.”

Pointing out to the importance of the opposition space in Parliament, Singh further added, “Since the Congress is the largest opposition group, Gandhi should have taken up the responsibility,” referring to the party leader’s post in Lok Sabha.

Within a few hours, Singh clarified in Bangalore that he only meant Gandhi family is not hankering for power.

“I said he is always fighting against injustice and therefore he is not for power. Every one doesn’t hanker after power. Even Sonia Gandhi never took the prime ministership.”

But the BJP did not miss the opportunity to take potshots at the Congress. “If the main cheerleader of the leader of Congress party is casting doubts on his ability, isn’t it a poor reflection on both the cheerleader and the main leader,” said BJP leader Nalin Kohli.

Congress spokesperson Shashi Tharoor refused to toe Singh’s line and added, “Having seen Gandhi from close quarters, I can say that he has a tremendous capacity and energy.”