What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: Sending out a clear message to G-23 leaders at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Saturday, Sonia Gandhi said she is the “full-time and hands on Congress president”.
The CWC meeting was necessitated as top Congress leaders had been raising issues of lack of leadership and absence of an elected party chief.
Will Consider Becoming Congress Chief Again: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi, who has been reluctant to take up the top post in the party, also assured the CWC that he may take a decision regarding it as most members urged him to return as party president.
Rahul Gandhi stepped down as Congress chief two years ago after the party’s debacle in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Sonia Gandhi took over the mantle again to pull the party out from a deep leadership crisis.
“All the members were unanimous that Rahul Gandhi should take over as president of the Congress party,” said Ambika Soni.
The party leaders were also urged to keep party’s interests first and maintain unity if Congress wants to revive itself and defeat the Narendra Modi-led NDA government.
‘Communicate With Me Directly, Not Through Media’
Sonia Gandhi told the CWC members that she appreciates and honest and frank communication withing the party and “there is no need to speak to me through the media”.
“Let us all have a free and honest discussion. Things that should get communicated outside the four walls of this room is the collective decision of the CWC,” she said in her opening remarks of the meeting that was physically held for the first time since the outbreak of Covid-19 last year.
Dr. Ajoy Kumar told the New Indian that Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi are both approachable, respond to mails within 24 and there was not need for anyone in the party to communicate with them through media.
The remarks were seen as an indirect message to senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal and Ghulam Nabi Azad who had recently said “presently, there was no president in the party, so it is not known who is taking the decisions in the organisation.
Things That Were Discussed In The CWC Meeting
Sonia Gandhi said the party should behave as one unit and exuded confidence of winning the upcoming assembly elections.
Lakhimpur Kheri incident, Kashmir killings, economic condition of the country, China border and Punjab Congress crisis were some of the key issues discussed in the meeting.
It was decided in the CWC meet that elections for the party’s top post will be held between August 21 and September 20 next year.
Sonia Gandhi, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Chief Ministers Ashok Gehlot of Rajasthan, Bhupesh Baghel of Chhattisgarh and Charanjit Channi of Punjab attended the meeting along with others.
