After nearly 23 Congress leaders wrote to the interim chief Sonia Gandhi seeking the party’s revival, several senior leaders in the party seemed to be critical of the move touting it as “ill-timed” and “suspicious”.
In the letter, the Congress leaders sought changes in the party, arguing that the party’s revival is “a national imperative”.
As reports of Sonia Gandhi offering to resign in response are doing the rounds, the echo for Rahul Gandhi to return as the Congress president also grew louder through the day.
Letter Unfortunate, Stand By Sonia Gandhi: Rajasthan CM Gehlot
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, whose government recently avoided a downfall following a rebellion by his former deputy Sachin Pilot, called the letter “unfortunate” and said that he stahds strongly by the leadership of Sonia Gandhi.
“News of 23 senior most Congress leaders writing letter to Congress President is unbelievable and if it is true, it is very unfortunate. There was no need to go to the media. I strongly believe that Sonia Gandhi ji should continue to lead the party at this crucial juncture where the fight is to save ethos of democracy, she has always taken challenges head-on. But if she has made up her mind-I believe Rahul Gandhi should come ahead and be the Congress President (sic),” he tweeted.
Not the Time to Raise Such Issues: Punjab CM Amarinder
Amarinder Singh’s office issued a statement saying that CM opposed bid by few Congress leaders to challenge Gandhi family leadership of party, “saying this was not the time to raise such issue, given need for strong opposition against BJP-led NDA that was out to destroy country’s Constitutional ethos and democratic principles”.
Chhattisgarh CM Baghel Requests Rahul to Take Over
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel even wrote to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi requesting him to take charge as the president of the party
Hailing leadership of the Nehru-Gandhi family for the betterment of India for decades, Baghel wrote that Rahul should take over the reins.
“Amid every challenge faced by the party, Sonia ji and Rahul ji have always been a ray of hope. The people and party workers of Chhattisgarh and the country stand by you. It is your leadership that will rescue the country in these difficult times,” he tweeted, along with a copy of the letter.
Rahul Must Take Lead: Pilot
Pilot on Sunday said that Sonia nad Rahul have shown what it means to sacrifice for greater good of people and the party.
“Mrs Gandhi and Rahul ji have shown what it means to sacrifice for greater good of people and the party. It's now time to build consensus and consolidate. Our future is stronger when we’re united. Most party workers would like to see Rahul ji take over and lead party (sic),” he tweeted.
Rahul Must Take Over If Sonia Gandhi Quits: Digvijay Singh
Congress leader Digvijay Singh said that Sonia Gandhi’s leadership is acceptable to all, but if she declines to lead, then Rahul Gandhi must take over the leadership.
“Sonia ji’s leadership is acceptable to all. If she wants to quit as the Congress chief, Rahul Gandhi should take over as the Congress President. Congress workers across the country will not accept anybody else,” he tweeted.
Motive Suspicious, Ill-Timed: Ashwani Kumar
Senior leader Ashwani Kumar called the motive behind the letter ‘suspicious’ and said that just a year ago, party leaders were ‘begging’ Sonia Gandhi to lead them.
“Timing and motivation of the letter is suspicious. Although some long-standing Congressmen are signatories to the letter, there are some who have harmed the party repeatedly,” Ashwani Kumar told ANI.
“Issues required to be addressed can be addressed under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership who has held the party together through difficult times. Only a year ago, party men literally begged her to lead the party. It’s wrong to question her unifying leadership now,” he added.
‘Karnataka Congress Stands by Gandhi Family’: DK Shivakumar
Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar said that the state stands with the leadership of the Gandhi family.
“Entire Congress in Karnataka stands by leadership of Sonia Gandhi and the Gandhi family. She has led Congress during times of crisis and saved our party. Anything that has to be discussed must be done so in the party forum and not in the media,” he said.
Will Stand By Rahul if Need Be: Salman Khurshid
Veteran Congress leader Salman Khurshid said that it is upon Rahul Gandhi to decide if he wants to return as Congress president but if need be, he will stand by his leadership.
“If someone is asking him (Rahul Gandhi) to come back as the party president, it is for him to decide. Whoever is wanting him to be the party president, I will join my voice. I hope that he will decide that he will be the party president again,” he told ANI.
Assam, Maharashtra Cong Chiefs Demand Rahul’s Comeback
Assam Congress President Ripun Bora wrote to Sonia Gandhi, requesting her to give the responsibility to Rahul Gandhi so that he can lead the party and “fight BJP and RSS from the front.”
“In an earlier video conference meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rajya Sabha MPs, I categorically appealed to Sonia Gandhi to give the leadership of Congress party to Rahul Gandhi as Narendra Modi is scared of Rahul Gandhi only,” Bora told ANI.
Maharashtra Congress president and state minister Balasaheb Thorat too demanded that Rahul should lead the party henceforth.
“Rahulji should now lead the Congress. With due respect to his sentiments, we would like to say, 'Come Back, Rahulji'. Until he takes over as full-time president, Soniaji should lead Congress family as party's interim president,” he wrote in the letter.
Sonia Gandhi had taken over as the interim president after her son and then President Rahul Gandhi resigned from the top position following the party’s loss in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The letter which was reportedly sent a fortnight ago, seeks a full-time and an “effective leadership” for the party which is “active and visible” on the ground.
The letter also points out that the party is losing the confidence of the youth, touching upon the rise of the BJP to state that the youth of the country voted for Narendra Modi.
While a difference of opinion between party leaders on the matter is evident, all eyes are now on the internal party meet scheduled for 24 August.
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