I did not put pressure on the pilot to land aircraft: Rahul Gandhi

LUCKNOW:

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday sought to nip in the bud a possible controversy when he made it clear that he did not force the helicopter pilot to land in zero visibility conditions in Sitapur on Monday evening.

"I am a pilot and I am absolutely aware of the dangers of flying in low visibility conditions. I will be the last person to do it," he told a press conference, dismissing UPCC president Rita Bahuguna Joshi's comments that he had forced the pilot to land in bad conditions.

"The PCC president is not a pilot. I have not put any pressure on the pilot. The pilot called me aside this morning and told me that the media was creating a controversy and putting my job in trouble. He has not broken any rule. You are making a story and destroying their career. This is not fair," he said.

To questions on Joshi's remarks, 39-year-old Gandhi said that she is not a pilot and she is also not a weather expert. There was plenty of visibility when the helicopter landed, he said.

Joshi had earlier said Rahul had asked the pilot of the helicopter to land in "zero visibility" just to fulfil his commitment of meeting people.

I am not looking myself as a future PM - Rahul Gandhi

VIJAYAWADA:

Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday asked people not to consider him as future prime minister saying nobody could predict the future.

"Please don't consider me as the future prime minister. Nobody can predict the future and what lay in store. Anybody can become the prime minister," he said interacting with about 1500 students at a college here.

Rahul reacted in this manner when some students referred to him as the future prime minister.

He said the current Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was doing a good job.

Replying to a question on terrorism, the Congress said the country was dealing with the issue in accordance with the law.

Rahul also answered questions on global warming, reservations and other issues.