As Rahul Gandhi Refuses To Budge, Search Begins For New Congress Chief; Shinde Leads The Race

As per sources, of the four-five names which are in line, two senior party leaders from Dalit community are ahead of everyone. First name is of former Home Minister Shinde and the second is of former Lok Sabha MP Kharge.

New Delhi: After drowned attempts of convincing Congress President Rahul Gandhi of retaining his post as party head, the party is likely to elect new party Chief this week. As per sources close to ABP News, party is likely to call a Congress Working Committee meeting soon to take a call on the same. Sushil Kumar Shinde and Malikarjun Kharge are leading the race. If the same is true, it will be after 21 years that anyone outside Gandhi family will take the post. As per senior party sources, some senior party leaders met UPA Chief Sonia Gandhi few days ago and requested her to convince Rahul; where Sonia refused to intervene and left the decision on Rahul and said that the decision on electing the new party Chief will be taken soon. The sources tell that, of the four-five names which are in line, two senior party leaders from Dalit community are ahead of everyone. First name is of former Home Minister Shinde and the second is of former Lok Sabha MP Kharge. Shinde has his roots in Maharashtra, where there will be Lok Sabha elections in a few months. Therefore, Shinde’s candidature seems more powerful. However, some other names are also being discussed besides these two. As per sources, Priyanka Gandhi is currently travelling abroad for some personal reason, and soon after her return, dates of CWC meeting could be announced.