2019 is not 1998. Sonia Gandhi's appointment as interim Congress president may unite the party for some time but it fails to address the root question of its decline and shrinking in various states. Yes, Sonia Gandhi will continue as the president for longer than what people think but she too stares at a hard road ahead. Though she has been made interim president, there will be no hurry in calling the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting. There is unlikely to be any challenger either. The reason is simple: Those who ensured that Sonia came back will also ensure that arrangement continues till she can function as the president. This arrangement makes (as I mentioned in my <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-return-of-ahmed-patel-233039">previous write up</a>) Ahmed Patel a very important person in the scheme of things. 
&nbsp; 
There is no doubt that Mr Patel did not have cosy relationship with Rahul Gandhi but he does enjoy a rapport with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Sonia's coming back and Rahul Gandhi functioning as a common MP will lead to re-consolidation of the team which worked with Sonia Gandhi from 1998 onwards. Another impact of the decision would be partial marginalisation of the office managers of Rahul Gandhi who enjoyed disproportionate power within the Congress party. 
&nbsp; 
Another major change would be toning down of difference between the old and young Congress as the young will to be more flexible with Sonia's team. Though many believe they would still have ears of Priyanka Gandhi, if closely observed, the older leadership feels at home with Priyanka and would not mind accommodating the new faces brought in by Rahul Gandhi on her insistence. This move also marks entry of Priyanka Gandhi in the larger scheme of things. Now, Congress leaders are openly talking about Priyanka as a natural successor to Sonia than Rahul Gandhi. There are senior leaders in the Congress who believe that a particular section always preferred Priyanka over Rahul but had to keep quiet because of Sonia's insistence as Rahul taking over the party. But with Rahul staying firm on his decision, the equation has changed within the Congress, till sibling rivalry comes to fore. 
&nbsp; 
The flip side is that Sonia Gandhi cannot be as active as she used to be in late 1990s. Sonia only focussed from 2010 onwards in projecting Rahul Gandhi as the real inheritor of the Congress. She will have to divert all her attention on bread and butter issues. She was brought in as the Congress president because the leaders at that point of time felt that Sitaram Kesari is not the totem pole around which Congress can fight BJP. This time Sonia's comeback is based more on internal power distribution in the party which lost its equilibrium after Rahul's entry into the mainstream organisation.

Priyanka Gandhi too has been politically exposed in the Lok Sabha elections. She will have to prove herself again in the next assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh if she wants to be taken seriously at the national level.

On the other hand, Congress is also all set to do badly again for next two years. There is no hope in hell for the Congress when it comes to assembly elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have workers but decisive leadership at the state does not exist.

More so, selection of Sonia Gandhi as the president shows Congress as a political outfit has become intellectually hollow and weak. It does not have a strong ideological foundation anymore. Karan Singh, who did a press conference 48 hours before abrogation of Article 370, praised it once it was passed. The Chief Whip of the Congress party in Rajya Sabha resigned after issuing a three-line whip.

Senior leaders spoke in different voice on this issue. The travesty is that CWC was called after BJP was able to successfully pass the bill in Rajya Sabha. 
&nbsp; 
It showed that ideas do not bind Congress party together. It has forgotten what it used to be. Its institutional memory is limited to a family. On Saturday evening, it once again failed to show courage and demonstrate intellectual depth. It could not select a non-Gandhi. The old clique ensured that Sonia comes back so that it could function easily once again as Rahul Gandhi wanted to create a new at their expense. Rahul's venture would have worked in any other party but because he himself is a product of entitlement, his measures were never seen as convincing. 
&nbsp; 
Congress today is behaving like an old conglomerate which has not understood that business of politics has changed in India. Congress cannot wait for BJP to make mistake. Congress feels that BJP has made a big mistake in Kashmir whereas rest of India feels that Modi has done the right thing. The message in rest of India is that nation is not a soft state which can be harassed by politicians who have sustained the idea of persecution and difference for decades in the Valley.

Congress also should not suffer from selective amnesia. It arrested and jailed the popularly elected chief minister Sheikh Abdullah throughout 50s and 60s. He returned to a normal life as a broken man. It can take a leaf out of BJP's book. When Indira reigned as a supreme leader, Jan Sangh was reborn as BJP in 1980. At its centre, there was a collegium of leaders and powerful satraps. It made BJP survive Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, VP Singh and Narsimha Rao. Congress need a collegium of leaders at the centre rather than the cult of Gandhis and Congress needs to understand this because as the biggest Opposition party, it is answerable to us, common citizens rather than one family.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

2019 is not 1998. Sonia Gandhi's appointment as interim Congress president may unite the party for some time but it fails to address the root question of its decline and shrinking in various states.

2019 is not 1998. Sonia Gandhi's appointment as interim Congress president may unite the party for some time but it fails to address the root question of its decline and shrinking in various states. Yes, Sonia Gandhi will continue as the president for longer than what people think but she too stares at a hard road ahead. Though she has been made interim president, there will be no hurry in calling the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting. There is unlikely to be any challenger either. The reason is simple: Those who ensured that Sonia came back will also ensure that arrangement continues till she can function as the president. This arrangement makes (as I mentioned in my previous write up) Ahmed Patel a very important person in the scheme of things. There is no doubt that Mr Patel did not have cosy relationship with Rahul Gandhi but he does enjoy a rapport with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Sonia's coming back and Rahul Gandhi functioning as a common MP will lead to re-consolidation of the team which worked with Sonia Gandhi from 1998 onwards. Another impact of the decision would be partial marginalisation of the office managers of Rahul Gandhi who enjoyed disproportionate power within the Congress party. Another major change would be toning down of difference between the old and young Congress as the young will to be more flexible with Sonia's team. Though many believe they would still have ears of Priyanka Gandhi, if closely observed, the older leadership feels at home with Priyanka and would not mind accommodating the new faces brought in by Rahul Gandhi on her insistence. This move also marks entry of Priyanka Gandhi in the larger scheme of things. Now, Congress leaders are openly talking about Priyanka as a natural successor to Sonia than Rahul Gandhi. There are senior leaders in the Congress who believe that a particular section always preferred Priyanka over Rahul but had to keep quiet because of Sonia's insistence as Rahul taking over the party. But with Rahul staying firm on his decision, the equation has changed within the Congress, till sibling rivalry comes to fore. The flip side is that Sonia Gandhi cannot be as active as she used to be in late 1990s. Sonia only focussed from 2010 onwards in projecting Rahul Gandhi as the real inheritor of the Congress. She will have to divert all her attention on bread and butter issues. She was brought in as the Congress president because the leaders at that point of time felt that Sitaram Kesari is not the totem pole around which Congress can fight BJP. This time Sonia's comeback is based more on internal power distribution in the party which lost its equilibrium after Rahul's entry into the mainstream organisation. Priyanka Gandhi too has been politically exposed in the Lok Sabha elections. She will have to prove herself again in the next assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh if she wants to be taken seriously at the national level. On the other hand, Congress is also all set to do badly again for next two years. There is no hope in hell for the Congress when it comes to assembly elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have workers but decisive leadership at the state does not exist. More so, selection of Sonia Gandhi as the president shows Congress as a political outfit has become intellectually hollow and weak. It does not have a strong ideological foundation anymore. Karan Singh, who did a press conference 48 hours before abrogation of Article 370, praised it once it was passed. The Chief Whip of the Congress party in Rajya Sabha resigned after issuing a three-line whip. Senior leaders spoke in different voice on this issue. The travesty is that CWC was called after BJP was able to successfully pass the bill in Rajya Sabha. It showed that ideas do not bind Congress party together. It has forgotten what it used to be. Its institutional memory is limited to a family. On Saturday evening, it once again failed to show courage and demonstrate intellectual depth. It could not select a non-Gandhi. The old clique ensured that Sonia comes back so that it could function easily once again as Rahul Gandhi wanted to create a new at their expense. Rahul's venture would have worked in any other party but because he himself is a product of entitlement, his measures were never seen as convincing. Congress today is behaving like an old conglomerate which has not understood that business of politics has changed in India. Congress cannot wait for BJP to make mistake. Congress feels that BJP has made a big mistake in Kashmir whereas rest of India feels that Modi has done the right thing. The message in rest of India is that nation is not a soft state which can be harassed by politicians who have sustained the idea of persecution and difference for decades in the Valley. Congress also should not suffer from selective amnesia. It arrested and jailed the popularly elected chief minister Sheikh Abdullah throughout 50s and 60s. He returned to a normal life as a broken man. It can take a leaf out of BJP's book. When Indira reigned as a supreme leader, Jan Sangh was reborn as BJP in 1980. At its centre, there was a collegium of leaders and powerful satraps. It made BJP survive Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, VP Singh and Narsimha Rao. Congress need a collegium of leaders at the centre rather than the cult of Gandhis and Congress needs to understand this because as the biggest Opposition party, it is answerable to us, common citizens rather than one family. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Congress needs to do more, 2019 is not 1998

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) will meet on Saturday amid the crisis over the appointment of new Congress chief after Rahul Gandhi made his resignation public.

According to reports, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-working-committee-to-meet-after-parliament-session-randeep-singh-surjewala-239881">the CWC </a>is likely to select a provisional chief to replace Rahul Gandhi and may form a panel also to look for the new party president.

Congress is facing the backlash from party leaders and opposition over the delay in appointment of the new party president after Rahul Gandhi made his resignation public on July 3, taking the responsibility of party's debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

Rahul had said that the new president will be appointed by the CWC.

Meanwhile, party leader Abhishek Singhvi on Friday said that any further delay in the selection of the new chief is not an option.

"On Sat, a consensus builder party pres #INC must be selected. slightest delay is not an option. In a lighter vein, I gave analogy of wise men of #Vatican locked in a room indefinitely until they got a nomination! Subsequently, it has to be followed by full intra party elections," he tweeted.&nbsp;

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On Sat, a consensus builder party pres <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INC</a> must be selected. slightest delay is not an option. In lighter vein, I gave analogy of wise men of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vatican?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vatican</a> locked in a room indefinitely until they got a nomination! Subsequently, it has to be followed by full intra party elections.
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrAMSinghvi/status/1159683285796048897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Congress leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delay-hurting-us-giving-impression-of-drift-indecision-tharoor-on-appointment-of-congress-president-239220">Shashi Tharoor</a> too had expressed frustration over the delay in the appointment of a new Congress president, saying that it was giving an impression of "drift and indecision."&nbsp;

Some Congressmen also made a call for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/priyanka-gandhi-perfect-choice-for-congress-president-cwc-to-take-final-call-amarinder-singh-239223">Priyanka Gandhi Vadra </a>to take over from her brother Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) will meet on Saturday amid the crisis over the appointment of new Congress chief after Rahul Gandhi made his resignation public.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) will meet on Saturday amid the crisis over the appointment of new Congress chief after Rahul Gandhi made his resignation public. According to reports, the CWC is likely to select a provisional chief to replace Rahul Gandhi and may form a panel also to look for the new party president. Congress is facing the backlash from party leaders and opposition over the delay in appointment of the new party president after Rahul Gandhi made his resignation public on July 3, taking the responsibility of party's debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Rahul had said that the new president will be appointed by the CWC. Meanwhile, party leader Abhishek Singhvi on Friday said that any further delay in the selection of the new chief is not an option. "On Sat, a consensus builder party pres #INC must be selected. slightest delay is not an option. In a lighter vein, I gave analogy of wise men of #Vatican locked in a room indefinitely until they got a nomination! Subsequently, it has to be followed by full intra party elections," he tweeted. On Sat, a consensus builder party pres #INC must be selected. slightest delay is not an option. In lighter vein, I gave analogy of wise men of #Vatican locked in a room indefinitely until they got a nomination! Subsequently, it has to be followed by full intra party elections. — Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) August 9, 2019 × Congress leader Shashi Tharoor too had expressed frustration over the delay in the appointment of a new Congress president, saying that it was giving an impression of "drift and indecision." Some Congressmen also made a call for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to take over from her brother Rahul Gandhi. The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress Working Committee to meet on Saturday, likely to select provisional party chief

As the party's leadership remains in limbo, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) will meet on August 10 at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

All eyes are now on the key meet, as it is likely to take the discussion on the next party president.

This is the first CWC meeting after Rahul Gandhi's resigned from the Congress'&nbsp;top post.

"It has been decided to hold the next Congress Working Committee Meeting on Saturday, 10th of August 11 am at AICC," Congress general secretary in-charge (organisation) KC Venugopal tweeted.

Rahul Gandhi, a lawmaker from Wayanad constituency, offered to step down from the post of Congress president at the CWC meeting on May 25, taking moral responsibility for the party's drubbing in the 17th Lok Sabha elections.

However, his resignation offer was unanimously rejected by the CWC with several top leaders rallying behind him to continue to lead the party.

Almost two months after that, not only did the 49-year-old leader make his resignation public, but also removed the tag of "Congress President" from the bio of his Twitter handle.&nbsp;

As the party's leadership remains in limbo, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) will meet on August 10 at the party headquarters in New Delhi. All eyes are now on the key meet, as it is likely to take the discussion on the next party president.

As the party's leadership remains in limbo, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) will meet on August 10 at the party headquarters in New Delhi. All eyes are now on the key meet, as it is likely to take the discussion on the next party president. This is the first CWC meeting after Rahul Gandhi's resigned from the Congress' top post. "It has been decided to hold the next Congress Working Committee Meeting on Saturday, 10th of August 11 am at AICC," Congress general secretary in-charge (organisation) KC Venugopal tweeted. Rahul Gandhi, a lawmaker from Wayanad constituency, offered to step down from the post of Congress president at the CWC meeting on May 25, taking moral responsibility for the party's drubbing in the 17th Lok Sabha elections. However, his resignation offer was unanimously rejected by the CWC with several top leaders rallying behind him to continue to lead the party. Almost two months after that, not only did the 49-year-old leader make his resignation public, but also removed the tag of "Congress President" from the bio of his Twitter handle.

Congress Working Committee meeting on August 10 amid leadership crisis

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala on Thursday said that Congress Working Committee (CWC) will meet after the Parliament session.

Meanwhile, he did not specify any agenda for the meeting.

Congress is facing the backlash from party leaders and opposition over the delay in appointment of&nbsp;the new party president after Rahul Gandhi made his resignation public on July 3, taking the responsibility of party's debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

Rahul had said that the new president will be appointed by the CWC.

On Monday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/priyanka-gandhi-perfect-choice-for-congress-president-cwc-to-take-final-call-amarinder-singh-239223">Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh</a> also said that only CWC is authorised to decide on the issue. “Priyanka would be a perfect choice to take over the party reins but it would all depend on the Congress Working Committee (CWC), which alone is authorised to take a decision in the matter,” he said.

Congress leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delay-hurting-us-giving-impression-of-drift-indecision-tharoor-on-appointment-of-congress-president-239220">Shashi Tharoor had expressed frustration </a>over the delay in the appointment of a new Congress president, saying that it was giving an impression of "drift and indecision."&nbsp;

"What we are seeing is a level of disarray which is not worthy of a grand national party that we are. It will end the moment a quick efficient decision is taken and then I believe a democratic process should take place that will open up the election to other candidates," said Tharoor.

The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala on Thursday said that Congress Working Committee (CWC) will meet after the Parliament session. Meanwhile, he did not specify any agenda for the meeting.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala on Thursday said that Congress Working Committee (CWC) will meet after the Parliament session. Meanwhile, he did not specify any agenda for the meeting. Congress is facing the backlash from party leaders and opposition over the delay in appointment of the new party president after Rahul Gandhi made his resignation public on July 3, taking the responsibility of party's debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Rahul had said that the new president will be appointed by the CWC. On Monday, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh also said that only CWC is authorised to decide on the issue. “Priyanka would be a perfect choice to take over the party reins but it would all depend on the Congress Working Committee (CWC), which alone is authorised to take a decision in the matter,” he said. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor had expressed frustration over the delay in the appointment of a new Congress president, saying that it was giving an impression of "drift and indecision." "What we are seeing is a level of disarray which is not worthy of a grand national party that we are. It will end the moment a quick efficient decision is taken and then I believe a democratic process should take place that will open up the election to other candidates," said Tharoor. The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid leadership crisis, Congress Working Committee to meet after Parliament Session

Shortly after asking the Congress to decide the new chief, Rahul Gandhi tweeted his resignation letter as party president.

"It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. Jai Hind," he said in his tweet which also has a copy of his resignation letter.

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It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. 
 
I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. 
 
Jai Hind 🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/WWGYt5YG4V">pic.twitter.com/WWGYt5YG4V</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1146359704815194112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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As president of the Congress party, I am responsible for the loss of the 2019 election, Rahul has said in his letter sent to the Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision-making body. The Congress won just 52 of the 542 Lok Sabha seats in the April-May general elections.

Rahul also removed his designation as Congress president from his official Twitter handle.

Earlier on Wednesday, he had said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/party-should-decide-on-the-new-congress-president-quickly-says-rahul-gandhi-232690">Congress should elect</a> a new president without any further delay.

"Party should decide on the new president quickly without further delay, I'm nowhere in this process. I have already submitted my resignation and I am no longer the party president. CWC should convene a meeting at the earliest and decide," he told reporters.

The crisis in Congress has been going on for week as Rahul has refused to listen to calls from party leaders to reconsider his decision to resign.

On Tuesday, party workers and leaders staged a sit-in outside Congress headquarters and urged an unrelenting Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his resignation.

Rahul Gandhi had offered to step down on May 25 at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee after party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elections.

However, his offer of resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC.

Shortly after asking the Congress to decide the new chief, Rahul Gandhi tweeted his resignation letter as party president. "It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation.

Shortly after asking the Congress to decide the new chief, Rahul Gandhi tweeted his resignation letter as party president. "It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. Jai Hind," he said in his tweet which also has a copy of his resignation letter. It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. Jai Hind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/WWGYt5YG4V — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 3, 2019 × As president of the Congress party, I am responsible for the loss of the 2019 election, Rahul has said in his letter sent to the Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision-making body. The Congress won just 52 of the 542 Lok Sabha seats in the April-May general elections. Rahul also removed his designation as Congress president from his official Twitter handle. Earlier on Wednesday, he had said that Congress should elect a new president without any further delay. "Party should decide on the new president quickly without further delay, I'm nowhere in this process. I have already submitted my resignation and I am no longer the party president. CWC should convene a meeting at the earliest and decide," he told reporters. The crisis in Congress has been going on for week as Rahul has refused to listen to calls from party leaders to reconsider his decision to resign. On Tuesday, party workers and leaders staged a sit-in outside Congress headquarters and urged an unrelenting Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his resignation. Rahul Gandhi had offered to step down on May 25 at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee after party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elections. However, his offer of resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC.

Honour for me to serve Congress party: Rahul Gandhi tweets his resignation letter

Chief ministers of five Congress-ruled states on Monday urged Rahul Gandhi not to leave the post of the party president.

In a first such meeting since Gandhi announced his decision to abdicate from the responsibility, Chief Ministers persuaded him not to quit.

Speaking to ANI, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said,&nbsp;"I told Rahul Gandhi that Congress cannot work without him. After his mother Sonia Gandhi, if there is a leader who can run the party, it is him."

Narayanasamy said that in a two-hour meeting, Gandhi was urged to re-think his decision, but he chose to remain quiet throughout.

Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking the moral responsibility for the Congress'&nbsp;abysmal performance in the 17th General Elections.

His resignation offer was, however, unanimously rejected by the CWC.

Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old party chief to rethink his decision, he remains unfazed.

Delhi Congress Working President Rajesh Lilothia said the party respects the decision taken by Gandhi but will continue to convince him not to leave the post.

Even though there is no official statement on the matter, sources said that several party leaders will sit on a hunger strike at the party headquarters today to protest again Gandhi`s decision to step down.

A senior Congress leader and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member told ANI, "It has been over a month since the last meeting of CWC, in which Rahul Gandhi had decided to quit, was kept.

Now, the senior leaders must call a meeting of CWC to decide on the issue.

"The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than what the party won in 2014 polls.

Chief ministers of five Congress-ruled states on Monday urged Rahul Gandhi not to leave the post of the party president. In a first such meeting since Gandhi announced his decision to abdicate from the responsibility, Chief Ministers persuaded him not to quit.

Chief ministers of five Congress-ruled states on Monday urged Rahul Gandhi not to leave the post of the party president. In a first such meeting since Gandhi announced his decision to abdicate from the responsibility, Chief Ministers persuaded him not to quit. Speaking to ANI, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said, "I told Rahul Gandhi that Congress cannot work without him. After his mother Sonia Gandhi, if there is a leader who can run the party, it is him." Narayanasamy said that in a two-hour meeting, Gandhi was urged to re-think his decision, but he chose to remain quiet throughout. Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking the moral responsibility for the Congress' abysmal performance in the 17th General Elections. His resignation offer was, however, unanimously rejected by the CWC. Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old party chief to rethink his decision, he remains unfazed. Delhi Congress Working President Rajesh Lilothia said the party respects the decision taken by Gandhi but will continue to convince him not to leave the post. Even though there is no official statement on the matter, sources said that several party leaders will sit on a hunger strike at the party headquarters today to protest again Gandhi`s decision to step down. A senior Congress leader and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member told ANI, "It has been over a month since the last meeting of CWC, in which Rahul Gandhi had decided to quit, was kept. Now, the senior leaders must call a meeting of CWC to decide on the issue. "The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than what the party won in 2014 polls.

Congress Chief Ministers urge Rahul Gandhi not to quit as party president

The Congress party will be holding another Working Committee meeting this week to discuss the leadership issue&nbsp;amid reports of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/disquiet-in-congress-ranks-as-rahul-gandhi-insists-on-resigning-fate-of-rajasthan-and-karnataka-governments-uncertain-222058">Rahul Gandhi not ready to take back his resignation</a> as the party chief.&nbsp;

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and senior party leaders have been trying to make Rahul change his mind from exiting the post.&nbsp;

Party treasurer Ahmed Patel and organisational general secretary KC Venugopal met with Gandhi at his residence yesterday and urged him to continue to lead the party.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/what-happened-at-the-cwc-meeting-the-inside-story-221561">Congress Working Committee (CWC) met last weekend</a> to deliberate on the poll debacle and strategise on ways to bring in structural reform in the party.

It is being reported that taking the moral responsibility of party's nemesis in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, Rahul offered to step down - a move that was unanimously rejected by party's top brass.

Watch:&nbsp;Rahul adamant on resignation, wants a non-Gandhi as next Congress president

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rahul-adamant-on-resignation-wants-a-non-gandhi-as-next-congress-president-221657/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Sources said that despite senior leaders making serious attempts to convince Gandhi to rethink his decision, Gandhi is said to be unfazed, news agency ANI reported.

Party leaders, sources said, maintained that Congress cannot afford to have a new leader at the helm for rebuilding the organisation at this juncture and that the responsibility for the defeat is collective and not individual.

"The Congress party expects everyone including the media to respect the sanctity of a closed-door meeting of the CWC. Various conjectures, speculations, insinuations, assumptions, gossip and rumour mongering in a section of the media is uncalled for and unwarranted," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala posted on Twitter.

Meanwhile, more trouble for Congress as three more state party chiefs tendered their resignations on Monday, taking the total number to six.

Congress party chiefs of Jharkhand, Assam and Punjab have also resigned in addition to those from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.&nbsp;

Karnataka Pradesh Campaign Committee chairman HK Patil has also resigned.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Congress party will be holding another Working Committee meeting this week to discuss the leadership issue amid reports of Rahul Gandhi not ready to take back his resignation as the party chief.

The Congress party will be holding another Working Committee meeting this week to discuss the leadership issue amid reports of Rahul Gandhi not ready to take back his resignation as the party chief. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and senior party leaders have been trying to make Rahul change his mind from exiting the post. Party treasurer Ahmed Patel and organisational general secretary KC Venugopal met with Gandhi at his residence yesterday and urged him to continue to lead the party. Congress Working Committee (CWC) met last weekend to deliberate on the poll debacle and strategise on ways to bring in structural reform in the party. It is being reported that taking the moral responsibility of party's nemesis in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, Rahul offered to step down - a move that was unanimously rejected by party's top brass. Watch: Rahul adamant on resignation, wants a non-Gandhi as next Congress president Sources said that despite senior leaders making serious attempts to convince Gandhi to rethink his decision, Gandhi is said to be unfazed, news agency ANI reported. Party leaders, sources said, maintained that Congress cannot afford to have a new leader at the helm for rebuilding the organisation at this juncture and that the responsibility for the defeat is collective and not individual. "The Congress party expects everyone including the media to respect the sanctity of a closed-door meeting of the CWC. Various conjectures, speculations, insinuations, assumptions, gossip and rumour mongering in a section of the media is uncalled for and unwarranted," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala posted on Twitter. Meanwhile, more trouble for Congress as three more state party chiefs tendered their resignations on Monday, taking the total number to six. Congress party chiefs of Jharkhand, Assam and Punjab have also resigned in addition to those from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. Karnataka Pradesh Campaign Committee chairman HK Patil has also resigned. (With inputs from agencies)

With Rahul Gandhi firm on quitting as party chief, Congress Working Committee to meet again

The Congress party is battling a crisis - to convince Rahul Gandhi to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/with-rahul-gandhi-firm-on-quitting-as-party-chief-congress-working-committee-to-meet-again-this-week-222138">drop his insistence</a> to resign as party chief. A plethora of Congress leaders made a beeline outside Rahul Gandhi's residence at Tuglaq Lane in New Delhi on Tuesday morning to meet him. But Rahul refused to meet them.

Among those leaders were Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, senior Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Pramod Tiwari. Instead of Rahul Gandhi, these leaders met party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who had rushed to her brother's house in the morning.

Rahul also <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/ashok-gehlot-priyanka-gandhi-sachin-pilot-spotted-at-rahul-gandhis-residence-222184">refused to meet top leaders</a> collectively in the evening. The senior leaders wanted that he should meet the core committee members together, but the idea was rejected. Even individual appointments were cancelled in the evening.

Most of the leaders who met Priyanka Gandhi Vadra refused to come on record. The only leader who was able to meet Rahul was chief of Congress's media wing, Randeep Surjewala, but his meeting was limited to brief on the current news cycle. The indication is clear that Rahul Gandhi will not change his decision to step down and has built pressure on the party to announce his resignation.

Most of the senior Congress leaders are <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/what-happened-at-the-cwc-meeting-the-inside-story-221561">against his resignation</a>. One source even suggested that Rahul may take up the responsibility of Leader of the Party in Lok Sabha but for that too, the party will need to formally announce his resignation. The Congress has 52 seats, two less than 10 per cent of the strength of the Lok Sabha because of which Congress will not get the position of Leader of Opposition.

Watch: Rahul insists on resigning; CWC to hold another meeting

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rahul-insists-on-resigning-as-cong-president-cwc-to-hold-another-meeting-222176/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Congress, decimated in the Lok Sabha polls, has seen a slew of resignations from senior party leaders who have taken moral responsibility for the rout. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit, Odisha Congress unit president Niranjan Patnaik and senior Congress leader in Karnataka HK Patil have sent their resignations to the Congress president.

The Parliament session will begin from June 6 and Congress will have to take a final call on the leadership issue. On top of it, three big states - Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand - will go to polls in December. The Congress lost all three states last time around. So, it becomes imperative for the party that it has a leader at helm of affairs before political activity picks up in Delhi again.

What is surprising this time is that unlike 1999, no popular mobilisation of Congress workers took place for Rahul Gandhi. In 1999, when Sharad Pawar had called Sonia Gandhi a foreigner, Congress workers were all over Delhi protesting and supporting Sonia Gandhi. But this time around, such public response from the party remains absent.

The Congress party is battling a crisis - to convince Rahul Gandhi to drop his insistence to resign as party chief. A plethora of Congress leaders made a beeline outside Rahul Gandhi's residence at Tuglaq Lane in New Delhi on Tuesday morning to meet him.

The Congress party is battling a crisis - to convince Rahul Gandhi to drop his insistence to resign as party chief. A plethora of Congress leaders made a beeline outside Rahul Gandhi's residence at Tuglaq Lane in New Delhi on Tuesday morning to meet him. But Rahul refused to meet them. Among those leaders were Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, senior Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Pramod Tiwari. Instead of Rahul Gandhi, these leaders met party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who had rushed to her brother's house in the morning. Rahul also refused to meet top leaders collectively in the evening. The senior leaders wanted that he should meet the core committee members together, but the idea was rejected. Even individual appointments were cancelled in the evening. Most of the leaders who met Priyanka Gandhi Vadra refused to come on record. The only leader who was able to meet Rahul was chief of Congress's media wing, Randeep Surjewala, but his meeting was limited to brief on the current news cycle. The indication is clear that Rahul Gandhi will not change his decision to step down and has built pressure on the party to announce his resignation. Most of the senior Congress leaders are against his resignation. One source even suggested that Rahul may take up the responsibility of Leader of the Party in Lok Sabha but for that too, the party will need to formally announce his resignation. The Congress has 52 seats, two less than 10 per cent of the strength of the Lok Sabha because of which Congress will not get the position of Leader of Opposition. Watch: Rahul insists on resigning; CWC to hold another meeting The Congress, decimated in the Lok Sabha polls, has seen a slew of resignations from senior party leaders who have taken moral responsibility for the rout. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit, Odisha Congress unit president Niranjan Patnaik and senior Congress leader in Karnataka HK Patil have sent their resignations to the Congress president. The Parliament session will begin from June 6 and Congress will have to take a final call on the leadership issue. On top of it, three big states - Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand - will go to polls in December. The Congress lost all three states last time around. So, it becomes imperative for the party that it has a leader at helm of affairs before political activity picks up in Delhi again. What is surprising this time is that unlike 1999, no popular mobilisation of Congress workers took place for Rahul Gandhi. In 1999, when Sharad Pawar had called Sonia Gandhi a foreigner, Congress workers were all over Delhi protesting and supporting Sonia Gandhi. But this time around, such public response from the party remains absent.

Rahul Gandhi refuses to meet senior leaders, remains adamant on his decision to step down as Congress chief

In this video, we bring to you the latest visuals from the Congress Working Committee meeting at the party office. Watch the full video to know more.

Delhi: Visuals from Congress Working Committee meeting at party office

After humiliating defeat in the 2nd Lok Sabha Election in a row, Top Congress leaders will meet in Delhi today. According to the sources, Rahul Gandhi is likely to offer his resignation at the meet. Watch full video to know more.

Congress Working Committee to meet today in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi may offer to resign

On Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, the Congress will discuss the country's social, political and cultural atmosphere and pass a resolution urging people to follow his vision of love, peace and brotherhood.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) will meet at Mahatma Gandhi's Sevagram Ashram at Wardha in Maharashtra on October 2, where former prime minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party president Rahul Gandhi will lead the deliberations.

The CWC is the top decision-making body of the grand old party. On the birth anniversary of the father of the nation, the Congress is seeking to send a political message to the country ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The party is on an all-out mission to defeat the BJP in the next general elections and is utilising every occasion to attack the ruling party and the RSS.

"On Gandhiji's birth anniversary, the CWC under Rahul Gandhi's presidentship will meet and discuss the current social political and cultural atmosphere under the BJP and Narendra Modi's rule, and will send Gandhiji's message of love, peace and communal harmony from Bapu's ashram, where he spent the last 12 years of his life," AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot told PTI.

He said, "Mahatma Gandhi message has assumed significant in today's India which is being increasingly gripped by the politics of hatred and communal violence being spread by the BJP and the RSS."

On October 2, top Congress leadership will pay their respects to Gandhiji at his samadhi in Delhi and will then attend a prayer meeting at his Wardha ashram.&nbsp;

Gehlot said a peace march will also be taken out by Congress workers in the afternoon followed by a public meeting at Wardha. Top Congress leaders from across the country will attend the rally.

According to a senior party leader, the Congress will hold its working committee meeting in Wardha on October 2 to mark the beginning of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary celebrations and will give a message against the "atmosphere of fear, hate and violence prevailing in the country".

"Now fascist forces have have started taking the name of Mahatma Gandhi. Those who do not believe in democracy, those who believe in violence, these forces are indulging in politics over his name," the leader said.

"In my entire political career, I have never seen such a political atmosphere --every family, every household is living in fear. There is an atmosphere of hate, there is an atmosphere of violence, innocents are being killed, economy has collapsed, farmers are committing suicide," he alleged.

Claiming that messages of hate were being sent "from the top", Gehlot said it was only befitting that a message to remove the "atmosphere of fear, hate and violence" is given from a place where the Quit India resolution was passed.

On Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, the Congress will discuss the country's social, political and cultural atmosphere and pass a resolution urging people to follow his vision of love, peace and brotherhood.

On Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, the Congress will discuss the country's social, political and cultural atmosphere and pass a resolution urging people to follow his vision of love, peace and brotherhood. The Congress Working Committee (CWC) will meet at Mahatma Gandhi's Sevagram Ashram at Wardha in Maharashtra on October 2, where former prime minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party president Rahul Gandhi will lead the deliberations. The CWC is the top decision-making body of the grand old party. On the birth anniversary of the father of the nation, the Congress is seeking to send a political message to the country ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The party is on an all-out mission to defeat the BJP in the next general elections and is utilising every occasion to attack the ruling party and the RSS. "On Gandhiji's birth anniversary, the CWC under Rahul Gandhi's presidentship will meet and discuss the current social political and cultural atmosphere under the BJP and Narendra Modi's rule, and will send Gandhiji's message of love, peace and communal harmony from Bapu's ashram, where he spent the last 12 years of his life," AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot told PTI. He said, "Mahatma Gandhi message has assumed significant in today's India which is being increasingly gripped by the politics of hatred and communal violence being spread by the BJP and the RSS." On October 2, top Congress leadership will pay their respects to Gandhiji at his samadhi in Delhi and will then attend a prayer meeting at his Wardha ashram. Gehlot said a peace march will also be taken out by Congress workers in the afternoon followed by a public meeting at Wardha. Top Congress leaders from across the country will attend the rally. According to a senior party leader, the Congress will hold its working committee meeting in Wardha on October 2 to mark the beginning of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary celebrations and will give a message against the "atmosphere of fear, hate and violence prevailing in the country". "Now fascist forces have have started taking the name of Mahatma Gandhi. Those who do not believe in democracy, those who believe in violence, these forces are indulging in politics over his name," the leader said. "In my entire political career, I have never seen such a political atmosphere --every family, every household is living in fear. There is an atmosphere of hate, there is an atmosphere of violence, innocents are being killed, economy has collapsed, farmers are committing suicide," he alleged. Claiming that messages of hate were being sent "from the top", Gehlot said it was only befitting that a message to remove the "atmosphere of fear, hate and violence" is given from a place where the Quit India resolution was passed.

CWC to discuss India's social, political, cultural atmosphere on October 2

Resignations in the Congress have begun ahead of party President Rahul Gandhi&#39;s announcement of his new team.&nbsp;

Actor-politician Raj Babbar has quit as chief of the party&#39;s UP unit; Shantaram Naik has quit as Goa Congress chief.&nbsp;

News reports added that Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki is also believed to have tendered his resignation to the party&#39;s central leadership. The reports added that a number of further resignations are expected.&nbsp;

The nudge had come from Rahul himself, with the Congress President saying recently that it was time for the old-timers to step aside.&nbsp;

Naik, who quit first, said he was following Rahul&#39;s advice.&nbsp;

A change of guard in the Congress has been talked about for close to forever now &mdash; ever since Rahul was anointed party vice-president in January 2013 &mdash; with people in the know saying the changeover was filling the party&#39;s old-timers with dread.&nbsp;

These latest resignations, of Naik and Babbar, then are being thought of as the first in a long list to come.&nbsp;

The reports however added that Babbar&#39;s resignation is also being linked the Congress&#39; <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-bypolls-up-shocker-sp-wins-both-yogi-bastion-of-gorakhpur-and-phulpur-seat-35824" target="_blank">worst-ever performance</a> in the recent UP (Gorakhpur and Phulpur) Lok Sabha bypolls&nbsp;which were won by the Samajwadi Party.&nbsp;

Actor-politician Raj Babbar has quit as chief of the party's UP unit. Reports add that Gujarat chief Bharatsinh Solanki has also put in his papers

Resignations in the Congress have begun ahead of party President Rahul Gandhi's announcement of his new team. Actor-politician Raj Babbar has quit as chief of the party's UP unit; Shantaram Naik has quit as Goa Congress chief. News reports added that Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki is also believed to have tendered his resignation to the party's central leadership. The reports added that a number of further resignations are expected. The nudge had come from Rahul himself, with the Congress President saying recently that it was time for the old-timers to step aside. Naik, who quit first, said he was following Rahul's advice. A change of guard in the Congress has been talked about for close to forever now — ever since Rahul was anointed party vice-president in January 2013 — with people in the know saying the changeover was filling the party's old-timers with dread. These latest resignations, of Naik and Babbar, then are being thought of as the first in a long list to come. The reports however added that Babbar's resignation is also being linked the Congress' worst-ever performance in the recent UP (Gorakhpur and Phulpur) Lok Sabha bypolls which were won by the Samajwadi Party.

Top leaders resign as Team Rahul gets set to take charge of Congress

Congress Working Committee(CWC) today passed a resolution to make&nbsp;Rahul Gandhi president of the party.

The CWC meeting began at 10 Janpath in the capital on Monday morning to&nbsp;set a&nbsp;date for party elections to&nbsp;elect a new leader.

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Delhi: Congress Working Committee(CWC) meeting to begin shortly, leaders arrive at 10 Janpath <a href="https://t.co/pHKnqYdLDd">pic.twitter.com/pHKnqYdLDd</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932473638523043840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Rahul Gandhi&#39;s elevation would mean Congress president Sonia Gandhi will be stepping down after the longest reign ever at the helm of the grand old party lasting nineteen years.

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Delhi: Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting underway at 10, Janpath <a href="https://t.co/pBjydJoqij">pic.twitter.com/pBjydJoqij</a>
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Sonia Gandhi had dislodged Sitaram Kesri in 1998 to become the Congress president.

The CWC meeting began 10 Janpath in the capital on Monday morning.

Congress Working Committee(CWC) today passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi president of the party. The CWC meeting began at 10 Janpath in the capital on Monday morning to set a date for party elections to elect a new leader. Delhi: Congress Working Committee(CWC) meeting to begin shortly, leaders arrive at 10 Janpath pic.twitter.com/pHKnqYdLDd — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi's elevation would mean Congress president Sonia Gandhi will be stepping down after the longest reign ever at the helm of the grand old party lasting nineteen years. Delhi: Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting underway at 10, Janpath pic.twitter.com/pBjydJoqij — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × Sonia Gandhi had dislodged Sitaram Kesri in 1998 to become the Congress president.

CWC passes resolution to make Rahul Gandhi Congress president

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is underway at 10 Janpath. Several prominent leaders of the party are taking part in the meeting.&nbsp;

The CWC, party&#39;s highest decision-making body, is likely to set the ball rolling for Rahul Gandhi&#39;s elevation as Congress president.

After missing several deadlines, the CWC &nbsp;is expected to approve an election today.

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&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932479788744245248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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According to the party constitution, the CWC meeting is required to approve the schedule for the election of the party president. This will be the final step for Rahul &nbsp;Gandhi to be elevated as President of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).

And as it is unlikely that there will be a contender to challenge Rahul, his election will be complete by mid-December.

The decision came after a meeting was held on Saturday.

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The elevation of Rahul Gandhi will mean that he will also be heading the final phase of the politically crucial Gujarat elections as AICC chief.

Rahul&#39;s taking charge of the party will bring the end of an era of Sonia Gandi heading as party chief and it will end a long apprenticeship that saw Rahul being named vice-president in January 2013.

After missing several deadlines, the CWC is expected to approve an election today

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is underway at 10 Janpath. Several prominent leaders of the party are taking part in the meeting. The CWC, party's highest decision-making body, is likely to set the ball rolling for Rahul Gandhi's elevation as Congress president. After missing several deadlines, the CWC is expected to approve an election today. Delhi: Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting underway at 10, Janpath pic.twitter.com/pBjydJoqij — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × According to the party constitution, the CWC meeting is required to approve the schedule for the election of the party president. This will be the final step for Rahul Gandhi to be elevated as President of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). And as it is unlikely that there will be a contender to challenge Rahul, his election will be complete by mid-December. The decision came after a meeting was held on Saturday. Delhi: Congress Working Committee(CWC) meeting to begin shortly, leaders arrive at 10 Janpath pic.twitter.com/pHKnqYdLDd — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × The elevation of Rahul Gandhi will mean that he will also be heading the final phase of the politically crucial Gujarat elections as AICC chief. Rahul's taking charge of the party will bring the end of an era of Sonia Gandi heading as party chief and it will end a long apprenticeship that saw Rahul being named vice-president in January 2013.

CWC meet gets underway at 10 Janpath, to pave way for Rahul Gandhi's elevation as party president

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has called a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Monday (November 20)&nbsp;to finalise the schedule of the organisational elections of the Congress party, sources confirmed.

The meeting will take place at 10:30 am.

Sources also indicated that in all probability Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi would be elevated as the President of the Congress before December 5.

Sources also said that the elevation is not going to be delayed any further. The CWC is expected to adopt the resolution to make Rahul Gandhi Congress president on Monday which would subsequently be ratified by the All India Congress Committee. As per the rules of the Congress constitution,&nbsp;the final ratification has to be done by the All India Congress Committee (AICC). 
 
Sonia Gandhi&rsquo;s elevation as the President by CWC was challenged by Jitendra Prasad which led to an election.

Earlier there were speculations that Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s elevation has been put off but the sources inside Congress confirmed that no such decision had been taken.

The CWC can also be expected to look at the Gujarat elections but it would be peripheral.

It is for this reason that the agenda of the CWC has been kept open.

Sonia Gandhi has been the longest serving President of the grand old party. She assumed office in 1998 and has continued since then.

 
&nbsp;

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has called a meeting of the Congress Working Committee on Sunday morning to finalise the schedule of the organisational elections of the Congress party

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has called a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Monday (November 20) to finalise the schedule of the organisational elections of the Congress party, sources confirmed. The meeting will take place at 10:30 am. Sources also indicated that in all probability Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi would be elevated as the President of the Congress before December 5. Sources also said that the elevation is not going to be delayed any further. The CWC is expected to adopt the resolution to make Rahul Gandhi Congress president on Monday which would subsequently be ratified by the All India Congress Committee. As per the rules of the Congress constitution, the final ratification has to be done by the All India Congress Committee (AICC). Sonia Gandhi’s elevation as the President by CWC was challenged by Jitendra Prasad which led to an election. Earlier there were speculations that Rahul Gandhi’s elevation has been put off but the sources inside Congress confirmed that no such decision had been taken. The CWC can also be expected to look at the Gujarat elections but it would be peripheral. It is for this reason that the agenda of the CWC has been kept open. Sonia Gandhi has been the longest serving President of the grand old party. She assumed office in 1998 and has continued since then.

Rahul Gandhi to be made Congress President before December 5: Sources to WION

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