A senior Indian official said Sunday that Rahul Gandhi, the scion of Nehru-Gandhi family, could become the country's prime minister anytime "even at midnight if he so desires".

"Rahul Gandhi can become prime minister at 12 tonight and no one can stop him. But neither does he want to become the prime minister nor the chief minister," local media quoted Indian Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal as saying.

The minister, who had back courted controversy by saying president's rule could be imposed in Uttar Pradesh after elections, was addressing a rally in the northern state's holy town of Mathura.

Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce campaign against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati in the legislative elections of the northern Indian state this month.

However, the 41-year-old Gandhi has so far insisted that he doesn't want to become prime minister.