Rahul’s elevation as Cong prez on the cards

Even though the party faced a drubbing in the recently concluded state assembly elections, a certain section of the Congress want Rahul to ascend to the throne of the grand old party, said sources.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the apex decision making body of the party, is expected to meet at the end of this month, wherein a final call regarding Rahul’s elevation will be taken. 

Simultaneously with his coronation, a reshuffle within the party is also on the cards. The youth brigade close to Rahul are reportedly expected to get key positions in the party, while the older party functionaries may be eased out. 

A certain section which is opposed to the Gandhi scion, is however, against the idea of his elevation. They are of the view that he needs time and maturity to deal with issues and lacks the considerable political acumen of mother Sonia Gandhi. “The process of his elevation cannot be stopped, he will be president” Congress leader PC Chacko had said.

Keeping the upcoming Uttar Pradesh and Punjab elections in mind, the clamour to induct Rahul’s sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has also grown vociferously within the party. Though poll strategist Prashant Kishor was more in favour of Priyanka spearheading the party campaign in Uttar Pradesh, Congress leaders in the state are divided on the matter. 

Senior Congress leader and general secretary of AICC Digvijaya Singh had mooted the idea recently saying, “Congress party favours Priyanka Gandhi Vadra getting into active politics, but it has to be decided by the family.’ He had said Priyanka has the potential to emerge as a mass leader. Singh added, “As far as we (Congress party) are concerned, we will be very happy if she comes into active politics.” Post the recent assembly election result, Singh had also said that the party needed “major surgery”. “Today’s results disappointing but not unexpected. We have done enough introspection shouldn’t we go for a major Surgery ?” said Singh after the party’s dismal performance in the Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Assembly polls.

After these results were declared on May 19, 2016, Rahul had said he would work ‘harder’ to gain the trust of the people as it faced crushing electoral defeats. “We will work harder till we win the confidence and trust of the people,” Gandhi tweeted. “We accept the verdict of people with humility. 

My best wishes to the parties that have won the elections,” he added. “I take this opportunity to thank every Congress worker and leader and our allies for their efforts during these elections,” he said in another tweet.