There can't be two prime ministers, says Congress

The Congress on Saturday ruled out any change of leadership in the United Progressive Alliance government in view of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's illness, saying the question was 'most irrelevant'.

There cannot be two prime ministers and under the Constitution, senior party leader M Veerappa Moily told reporters after releasing a report of the Administrative Reforms Commission on e-governance.

"The question is most irrelevant," he said when asked whether the party contemplated any change of leadership, particularly at a time when the country was in election mode.

To a question on why External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee was not made officiating Prime Minister, Moily said there cannot be two prime ministers, and as per the convention when the prime minister is abroad or away, certain functions are assigned to the senior-most minister.

Expressing confidence that Dr Singh will be back to work within two weeks after his heart surgery, Moily said the question of having a new leader does not arise.

"Our confidence is that within two weeks he will be back to duty with more energy," he said.