Asia News Network
06/25/2012
By S Venkat Narayan
[Printer Friendly Version]

Rahul Gandhi, widely seen as India’s future prime minister, may be "seriously involved" with a grand-daughter of the late Mohamed Zahir Shah, the hereditary King of Afghanistan, a local Sunday newspaper claimed today.

The Sunday Guardian said the Afghan expat community is a-twitter with this news. The young lady has not been identified by name.

"The charming Afghan princess is even reported to be a converted Christian," the weekly said.

Some informants speak of the pair "praying together on Sundays" in what they describe as a "home chapel" at the residence of Rahul’s mother Sonia Gandhi here, it added.

Rahul Gandhi, who turned 43 last week, is a bachelor. Media reports in the past have linked him with more than one foreign girlfriend.

A fourth generation scion of the Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty, he is an elected member of the Lok Sabha, Parliament’s lower house, and a general secretary of the Congress Party, which leads the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

The Sunday Guardian said: "The two [Rahul and the Afghan princess] have reportedly been seen together in the Aman Hotel in Delhi, which is known to be a regular haunt of the future PM, who spends hours there in the Fitness Center, trying to develop biceps that can challenge those of Shah Rukh Khan and Robert Vadra.

"The young lady from the Afghan royal family is known to be very well brought up, with a gentle mien and a generous nature. Hence, Rahul’s buddies hope that, this time around the future PM will not walk away from a lady friend [as he has on numerous occasions in the past], but will follow the example of Papa Rajiv [Gandhi] when he married Mamma Sonia in 1965."

The weekly went on: "The personable lady could emerge as a key asset for Rahul Gandhi as he seeks to win a fresh mandate for his battered party in 2014. She has undeniable appeal to the upwardly mobile youth vote."

The princess’s grandfather Zahir Shah had reigned for four decades from 1933 until he was dethroned in a coup in 1973 by his own cousin Mohammed Daud Khan. The king abdicated and went to Italy to live in exile. He returned to Kabul in 2002, and was given the title of Father of the Nation. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 93.

The socio economic effects of American withdrawal Khama Press (04/11/2013)

US troops open fire on civilian bus in Herat, 2 killed or injured Khama Press (04/11/2013)

Uzbek fighters gain support in Afghan north Al Jazeera (04/11/2013)

Pakistan army tries to win over local population in war-torn tribal region The Associated Press (04/11/2013)

Afghanistan, the drug addiction capital BBC (04/11/2013)

Man With Ties to Karzai Dies in a Military Raid The New York Times (04/11/2013)

Plot to blow up dam hatched in Quetta: NDS Pajhwok (04/01/2013)

Russia may set up new Afghanistan bases – official RT, Russia (03/30/2013)

US hands control to Afghan commandos in strategic district outside Kabul The Associated Press (03/30/2013)

Civilians among 16 killed in Ghazni airstrike Pajhwok (03/30/2013)

Pakistan terms for Afghan peace talks unacceptable: Faizi Khaama Press (03/30/2013)

Pakistan denies asking Afghanistan to snap ties with India The Hindu (03/30/2013)

U.S. Tests a Risky Route for Shipping Gear Out of Afghanistan The Wall Street Journal (03/30/2013)

How Afghanistan is Beginning to Deal with Workplace Sexual Harassment TIME (03/30/2013)

An Eternal Return in Afghanistan? World Policy Journal (03/30/2013)

Russia seeks role in Afghanistan stability after NATO pullout Khaama Press (03/30/2013)

Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of wrecking peace hopes NBC News (03/30/2013)

Teenage cycling prodigy leads Afghan women to new freedoms NBC News (03/30/2013)

Hamid Karzai, confused by the U.S. The Washington Post (03/30/2013)

U.S. must decide about troops in Afghanistan The Washington Post (03/30/2013)

In Afghan Child Abuse Cases, Victims Go to Jail IWPR (03/27/2013)

From Kabul love affair to Afghanistan's first centre for study of its history The Guardian (03/27/2013)

Quorum problem hits Wolesi Jirga business Pajhwok (03/27/2013)

How Britain betrayed female Afghan boxers Morning Star (03/22/2013)

Suicide vest explosion kills 5, injures 6 in Helmand Khama Press (03/21/2013)

3 Men Beheaded in Kandahar Tolo (03/21/2013)

Living conditions for Afghan refugees in Iran are decreasing ReliefWeb (03/21/2013)

US lawmakers call Karzai a wrong choice Pajhwok (03/21/2013)

How the Taliban wins over Afghans without firing a shot Global Post (03/21/2013)

Surprising hope for Pakistan and Afghanistan CNN (03/21/2013)