Kolkata, Dec 21 (IANS): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference chairman Farooq Abdullah on Friday said Congress president Rahul Gandhi should be given more time to prove his mettle as a national leader.

Abdullah, also a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said Gandhi has proved himself by leading the Congress to victory in assembly elections in three states recently.

"Rahul Gandhi should be given more time in order to prove his mettle as a national leader," Abdullah said at an event at the Bharat Chambers here.

Abdullah said the Congress' opponents could no longer call Gandhi a "Pappu" after the party's electoral triumph in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

"He was called Pappu all this while, but he has proved his mettle with the victory in the three elections. Now he can't be called Pappu any more."

Referring to Gandhi's father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, Abdullah said, "He was a pilot, but after becoming Prime Minister he gave India a free economy".

He said it was necessary to project young leaders in India to ensure the nation's progress.