Rahul Gandhi To Become Congress President Again? Former Chief To ‘Consider’ Senior Leaders’ Request

After the CWC meeting, senior Congress leader Ambika Soni said: “Everybody is of the opinion that Rahul Gandhi should become the party president”.

Rahul Gandhi captured arriving for the Congress Working Committee (CWC) at AICC headquarters in New Delhi. (PTI Photo/Kamal Singh)

New Delhi: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is reportedly considering assuming the party chief’s role once again after he resigned from the post following the poll debacle in the 2019 general elections.

In the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, senior leaders requested the Wayanad MP to become the president again, news agency ANI cited sources as saying.

As per the agency’s sources, Rahul Gandhi said: “I will consider”, adding that he needs clarity at the level of ideology, from the party leaders. 

Some leaders also said that he should be made the working president  till the upcoming assembly elections, ANI reported.

After the CWC meeting held at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters concluded, Senior Congress leader Ambika Soni also spoke to the media in this regard.

“Everybody agreed unanimously, whether he (Rahul Gandhi) will become (the party president) or not is up to him. Everybody is of the opinion that Rahul Gandhi should become the party president,” she said.

“G-23 wasn't even mentioned there. They were present at the meeting. Congress is not divided into factions, we are united. All leaders of Indian National Congress unanimously want Rahul Gandhi to become party president. The process (for election) will begin in September 2022,” Ambika Soni added, confirming the reports of party chief to be finalised next year.

While she says that G-23 “wasn't even mentioned” in the meeting, interim party president Sonia Gandhi’s remarks appeared to be addressing the concerns over leadership raised by party leaders like Kapil Sibal.

“I am, if you will allow me to say so, a full-time and hands-on Congress President. In the last two years, a large number of our colleagues, particularly the younger ones, have taken on leadership roles in taking party policies and programmes to the people," Sonia Gandhi said, as mentioned in a statement shared by the Congress party on Twitter.

“I've always appreciated frankness. There is no need to speak to me through the media. So let us all have a free and honest discussion. But what should get communicated outside the four walls of this room is collective decision of CWC,” she added, in an apparent reference to the G-23.

Opening remarks of Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi at the CWC meeting:- pic.twitter.com/74K4qjGkZS

— Congress (@INCIndia) October 16, 2021

Meanwhile, Congress leader and Rajasthan Minister Raghu Sharma criticised Kabil Sibal who had recently stoked a row for saying that the party has “no president”.

“Do such talks strengthen Congress? If you hold press conference on your own and say outside the things that you should say before the leadership, will it strengthen the party? Discipline is important”: Raghu Sharma said after CWC meet in Delhi.

“What needs to be done, will be done by High Command but I don't agree with someone speaking at the road. Speak and put suggestions before High Command at the correct platform. But if you consider yourself above the party's discipline then this is not right,” he opined.

Whether Sonia Gandhi will continue in the role of interim Congress president or will Rahul Gandhi accept party leaders’ demand to return as chief ahead of crucial 2022 Assembly elections - remains to be seen.