Now, Congress Leaders Want Rahul Gandhi to be Party President

Congress’ debacle in the current round of elections notwithstanding, party wants Rahul Gandhi to be party president.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is slated to be promoted to the post of President of the party this year. (Photo: PTI)

• Congress leaders are hoping that Rahul Gandhi is promoted to the post of party president soon; the party’s debacle in the current round of Assembly elections notwithstanding. Congress spokesperson, Randeep Surjewala, gave an indication of the change on 19 May.
  
  
• When asked by a reporter, whether plans to elevate the 45-year-old Congress Vice President might be put hold, seeing the party’s poor performance in states like Assam, Surjewala retorted by saying,“Your suggestion is spectacular, we reject it outright.”
  
  
• According to a party leader, who is known to be close to the leadership within the Congress, the announcement of Gandhi’s promotion would be made very soon. Earlier this month, party leader Jairam Ramesh had said that the Congress expects Rahul to take over as its chief this year, in 2016.
  

• However, soon after the Assembly poll results in five states were out, Congress leaders defended the top leadership within the party and asserted that the responsibility of Congress’ poor showing in Assam, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal is not a reflection on Rahul Gandhi’s leadership.