Lucknow: Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Monday visited the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh and interacted with the students. Gandhi met the students at the Kennedy Auditorium, a varsity official said.

The MP from Amethi fielded questions from students with aplomb. When asked about elevation of Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister in 2004, he said, "He was not the Prime Minister because he is a Sikh but because he was the most capable person for the post."

A girl student asked if the country would get a Muslim Prime Minister, Gandhi replied, "You (the students) need to step up and be leaders." During his speech, Gandhi called upon the youth to participate in politics. "Participation of people in politics is important... all of you have a vision and we need that," he said.

Gandhi is on a two-day visit to the state to boost the membership drive undertaken to re-activate the Youth Congress. Gandhi started his trip from Aligarh and would later in the day visit Etah and Hardoi where he hopes to spend the night.

On Tuesday, he would visit Lakhimpur-Kheri, Bahraich, Ambedkar Nagar and Sitapur.
Gandhi's visit to these places has been preceded by detailed surveys by his aides who submitted their report to the Congress leader, party sources said.

-- IANS