Rahul Should Join Govt: Krishna

New Delhi: It was "necessary" for Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi to come into the government, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said Wednesday.

"I am one of those who feel that it's necessary for Rahul Gandhi to come into the government and help the government in solving many problems the country faces," Krishna told reporters against the backdrop of speculation about a cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of Pranab Mukherjee as the finance minister to contest the presidential poll and Virbhadra Singh quitting after graft charges were framed against him.

"We always welcome Rahul Gandhi's involvement in the government. The prime minister's invitation is there to join the government but he himself seems to be not inclined at the moment," the minister told reporters here when asked whether he supported a government role for Rahul Gandhi.

Krishna added that that Manmohan Singh had already asked Rahul Gandhi to join the government and his "invitation" stands.

Mukherjee, the United Progressive Alliance government's chief trouble-shooter, quit as Finance Minister Tuesday, ahead of filing of his nomination papers for the July 19 Presidential Elections.