Rahul Gandhi is set to take over as Congress President. Yes, we have heard the same thing a number of times but this time it is likely to happen after Diwali. Rahul Gandhi is set to take over the charge from his mother Sonia Gandhi as early as October 30. Now, it is also being reported by India Today TV that the Congress Working Committee meeting has been called after Diwali to announce the election for the highest post in the party. However, this is yet to be officially confirmed. On October 13, incumbent party president Sonia Gandhi was asked about the likely elevation of Rahul Gandhi and she replied saying, ‘Will be done soon’. 47-year-old Rahul was elected as the party’s vice-president in 2013. Sonia Gandhi had assumed responsibility as the Congress President in 1998, succeeding Sitaram Kesari. Notably, Sonia is the longest-serving head in the party’s 131-year history. Over the past few months, a lot has been discussed and debated over Rahul’s elevation as the Congress president. Earlier this month, Rajasthan Congress leader Sachin Pilot had also hinted that Rahul might take over the reins of the party after Diwali.
On October 12, the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) has unanimously passed a resolution that Rahul Gandhi be made the party’s national president. UP Congress chief Raj Babbar moved the resolution at a meeting of party functionaries including city and district unit presidents. “The resolution was passed unanimously,” party spokesperson Amarnath Agarwal was quoted as saying PTI.
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Several other state units of the Congress, including Maharashtra, Goa, Delhi, Odisha, Uttarakhand, West Bengal etc, have also passed similar resolutions seeking the elevation of Rahul Gandhi as the party chief.
At present, the Congress is conducting organisational polls, including for the post of president. The Election Commission has given the Congress deadline till December to conclude the exercise.