Will Step Down As Cong Chief, Party Will Pick Successor: Rahul

The Congress Working Committee had, however, rejected his offer to resign.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that he was sticking to his resolve to step down as the party chief, adding that he was not involved in the process to select his successor.

(Photo: PTI)

As speculation regarding his next steps continues, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday, 20 June, said he was sticking to his resolve to step down as the party chief, PTI reported. He added that he was not involved in the process to select his successor.

Rahul said that he would continue to work for the party, but made it clear that he would not go back on his decision, taking responsibility for the Congress’ loss in the 2019 polls.

Stressing the need to have "accountability" in the system, Rahul told NDTV, "I am not going to get involved in that process, otherwise it will complicate things and the party has to decide".

The Congress Working Committee — the highest decision-making body of the Congress — however, has rejected his offer to resign and asked him to restructure the party at all levels, according to PTI.

Theft in Rafale Deal, Maintains Rahul

The Congress chief also maintained that there was "theft" in the Rafale fighter jet deal, PTI reported.

This was in response to a question about Rafale finding a mention in President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.

“I maintain my stand that there has been theft in the Rafale jet deal,” he told reporters outside Parliament.

Rahul Gandhi has been maintaining that there has been corruption in the Rafale deal and that there should be a thorough probe into the deal.

The Congress has already petitioned the CVC for a probe into alleged corruption in the fighter jet deal. The government has denied any corruption, wrongdoing or favouritism in the deal.

(With inputs from PTI and NDTV.)