Young Congress leaders to go on indefinite strike from July 2 

The drama at the AICC took a quick turn on Saturday when senior leaders like PL Puniya and Nana Patole also put in their papers. PL Puniya was the general secretary in charge in Chattisgarh and Patole was looking after the agriculture cell of the party.

Sources informed WION that from July 2 roughly 1000 to 2000 workers and junior AICC functionaries will go on an indefinite sit-in. The purpose of the sit-in is to pressurize Rahul Gandhi to take back his resignation and make other senior leaders resign from their respective positions.

Virendra Vashisht, one of the AICC secretaries who put in their papers said, "Most of the young people have been promoted by Rahul Gandhi. If Rahul Gandhi does not continue as the president then we would continue to only function as normal workers of the party.” Sources also said that the purpose is to build pressure within the organization so that Rahul Gandhi can recast the party.

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When WION asked the question to Congress spokesperson, Pawan Khera, he said, "It is a way to request Rahul Gandhi that he must continue as the president of the Congress. It is not about junior leaders versus senior leaders".

Throughout Saturday, the number of resignations continued to pour in from various state units of the Congress party. Sources also indicated that young leaders were directly in touch with the aides of Rahul Gandhi who seem to be providing oxygen to the idea of a sit-in. The Congress president, in the last party parliamentary meeting, had categorically said that he would not change his decision.

The issue is that only the Congress Working Committee can select a new president but can only be convened by the party president. Till now, Rahul Gandhi has not convened it and no other senior member constitutionally can convene the committee. Setting aside the legality, the party is politically adrift.