NEW DELHI The latest addition to India's Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty, the day-old son of Priyanka Gandhi, is destined for political greatness, astrologers and the media predicted Wednesday.
An ecstatic media dubbed the baby a crown prince and said he resembled his maternal grandfather, former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, whose mother Indira Gandhi and grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru were also prime ministers.
"Rajiv Is Back," screamed The Pioneer daily, adding: "The Heir Apparent Arrives." The Times of India already speculated about the boy's political future saying: "Will He, Won't He?" while the Indian Express simply said: "Gandhi Dynasty Gets a New Member." According to an AFP report, Priyanka Gandhi, daughter of opposition leader Sonia Gandhi and assassinated premier Rajiv Gandhi, gave birth to a boy at 4:04 p.m. (1034 GMT) Tuesday.
Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka's businessman husband Robert Vadra were present at the birth.
The pioneer said the baby could not be born at a better time.
"With the good looks and personality of grandpa Rajiv and bringing fistfuls of good luck for nani' (grandmother) Sonia, Priyanka and Robert Vadra's first born has brought a song to every congressman's lips," it said.
"Baby Vadra, born under the solar zodiac sign of Venus, is destined for greatness says the crystal ball. The stars ... foretell luck and prosperity and a greatness worthy of a Nehru Gandhi." Astrologer Gopal Sharma told the Times of India that the baby boy will "join politics when he turns 22.
"But before that happens, he will bring his father into the field."