CWC Meeting in 4 Days to Choose Next Congress President as Rahul Gandhi Is Firm on Quitting: Reports
Even as the CWC is set to reconvene, senior party leaders have reached out to Gandhi asking him to reconsider his decision.
New Delhi, May 28: The Congress Working Committee (CWC) is expected to meet in the next four days to choose the next party president, as Rahul Gandhi is firm on quitting, reports said on Tuesday. The 52-member CWC will contemplate on the names which could replace Gandhi for the top post. Speculations are also rife that the party is considering a presidium system to take itself forward.
Even as the CWC is set to reconvene, senior party leaders have reached out to Gandhi asking him to reconsider his decision. Congress veteran Ahmed Patel is one among them who reached out to Gandhi and held closed-door talks on Monday. Congress in MP, Rajasthan See Cracks Post Lok Sabha Polls Debacle, Fingers Raised at Kamal Nath And Ashok Gehlot
After Patel, senior leader KC Venugopal also met Gandhi. Amid reports claiming that the "old guard" is persuading Gandhi to continue as their boss, Patel issued a statement categorically denying such speculations.
"I had sought time before the CWC to meet the Congress President to discuss routine administrative work. The meeting on Monday was in that context. All other speculation is incorrect and baseless," he said.
Gandhi had submitted his resignation before the CWC on Saturday, when the committee met to dissect the reasons behind the humiliation suffered in Lok Sabha elections 2019.
Despite emotional appeals from Congress veterans, particularly those from the South where the party has fared well, Gandhi remained adamant. When the name of his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was discussed, the party chief said she "should not be dragged into this".
Experts are of the view that the Congress is headed towards appointing a non-Nehru-Gandhi family member as its president for the first time since 1998. The name of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has already been chalked out as she, along with her son, opposed the idea at the CWC meet.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 28, 2019 09:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).