Yes, Sonia elected Congress Parliamentary Party leader

New Delhi: Reposing faith in Sonia Gandhi after a huge poll debacle, Congress party MPs have once again elected Gandhi as leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) at a meeting on Saturday. The objective behind relying upon Gandhi is strengthening of the party using her political acumen in setting the tone of the party in the Parliament.

In her speech after being elected the CPP leader, Gandhi called upon party MPs not to let their guard down and urged them to play the role of an effective opposition and ensure better coordination and cooperation with like-minded parties in Rajya Sabha. She told the members that the issues they raise in Parliament must resonate in the minds of the party workers and with the public. She also said that the party will play a constructive role in supporting the government in reform measures but will oppose it for its "divisive and regressive actions".

Gandhi, after thanking the 12.3 crore voters who voted for the Congress in Lok Sabha election also lauded the role of Rahul Gandhi as Congress president for his "valiant and relentless campaign" in this poll. The meeting was attended by the party's 52 newly elected Lok Sabha MPs and Rajya Sabha members, besides members of the Congress Working Committee and other senior leaders.

Gandhi, who represents Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli in Lok Sabha, is the chairperson of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA). "In this time of crisis, we must acknowledge the numerous challenges confronting the Congress party. The Congress Working Committee met a few days ago to deliberate the next steps and the way forward for us. Several decisive measures to strengthen the party are being discussed," she told the MPs and leaders.