New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi Wednesday categorically said he was no longer the Congress party president, and tweeted out a letter detailing his decision.
Gandhi first announced his decision days after the Lok Sabha election results handed the BJP a brute majority. The Congress had won only 52 of 542 seat.
Taking responsibility for the dismal performance, Gandhi said accountability was the only way to reform, and called on the party to choose a new president.
Read the full text of Rahul Gandhi’s letter after resignation here:
It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love.
As President of the Congress Party, I am responsible for the loss of the 2019 election. Accountability is critical for the future growth of our party. It is for this reason that I have resigned as Congress President.
Rebuilding the party requires hard decisions and numerous people will have to be made accountable for the failure of 2019. It would be unjust to hold others accountable but ignore my own responsibility as President of the party.
Many of my colleagues suggested that I nominate the next Congress President. While it is important for someone new to lead our party, it would not be correct for me to select that person. Ours is a party with a profound history and heritage, one of struggle and dignity that I deeply respect. It is woven into the fabric of India and I trust the party will make the best decision regarding who can lead us with courage, love and fidelity.
Immediately after resigning, I suggested to my colleagues in the Congress Working Committee that the way forward would be to entrust a group of people with the task of beginning the search for a new President. I have empowered them to do so and committed my full support to this process and a smooth transition.
My fight has never been a simple battle for political power. I have no hatred or anger towards the BJP but every living cell in my body instinctively resists their idea of India. This resistance arises because my being is permeated with an Indian idea that is and has always been in direct conflict with theirs. This is not a new battle; it has been waged on our soil for thousands of years. Where they see differences, I see similarity. Where they see hatred, I see love. What they fear, I embrace.
This compassionate idea permeates the hearts of millions and millions of my beloved fellow citizens. It is this idea of India that we will now vehemently defend.
The attack on our country and our cherished Constitution that is taking place is designed to destroy the fabric of our nation. In no way, shape or form am I stepping back from this fight. I am a loyal soldier of the Congress party and a devoted son of India and will continue to serve and protect her till my last breath.
We fought a strong and dignified election. Our campaign was one of brotherhood, tolerance and respect for all of India’s people, religions and communities. I personally fought the Prime Minister, the RSS and the institutions they have captured with all my being. I fought because I love India. And I fought to defend the ideals India was built upon. At times, I stood completely alone and am extremely proud of it. I have learned so much from the spirit and dedication of our workers and party members, men and women who have taught me about love and decency.
A free and fair election requires the neutrality of a country’s institutions; an election cannot be fair without arbiters — a free press, an independent judiciary, and a transparent election commission that is objective and neutral. Nor can an election be free if one party has a complete monopoly on financial resources.
We didn’t fight a political party in the 2019 election. Rather. we fought the entire machinery of the Indian state. every institution of which was marshalled against the opposition. It is now crystal clear that our once cherished institutional neutrality no longer exists in India.
The stated objectives of the RSS, the capture of our country’s institutional structure. is now complete. Our democracy has been fundamentally weakened. There is a real danger that from now on, elections will go from being a determinant of India’s future to a mere ritual.
This capture of power will result in unimaginable levels of violence and pain for India. Farmers, unemployed youngsters, women, tribals, Dalits and minorities are going to suffer the most. The impact on our economy and nation’s reputation will be devastating. The Prime Minister’s win does not negate the breadth of corruption allegations against him; no amount of money and propaganda can ever hide the light of the truth.
The Indian nation must unite to reclaim and resuscitate our institutions. The instrument of this resuscitation will be the Congress party.
To achieve this important task, the Congress Party must radically transform itself. Today the BJP is systematically crushing the voice of the Indian people. It is the duty of the Congress Party to defend these voices. India has never and will never be one voice. It is and always will be a symphony of voices. That is the true essence of Bharat Mata.
Thank you to the thousands of Indians, both at home and abroad, who have sent me letters and messages of support. I will, of course, continue to fight for the ideals of the Congress Party with all my strength. I am available to the party whenever they require my services, input or advice. To those who support the Congress ideology, especially our dedicated and beloved karyakarta, I have absolute faith in our future and the utmost love for you. It is a habit in India that the powerful cling to power, no one sacrifices power. But we will not defeat our opponents without sacrificing the desire for power and fighting a deeper ideological battle. I was born a Congressman, this party has always been with me and is my life’s blood and forever that way it shall remain.
Jai Hind.
Rahul Gandhi
Shallow, lacking in sincerity and only lauded by die hard “Congress and Family” supporters.
I very much doubt that Rahul G. has written this letter . He is trying to play a victim and martyr which is very obvious . On the whole , this document is nothing but a miserable attempt to elevate himself socially after all mudslinging and gutter politics he had indulged in for the past five years .
Nothing new in this letter. Same hackneyed phrases..Congress beleives in the same idea..the idea that is to keep people poor, divide them on every conceivable grounds, say religion, caste, language, instill a fear of majority among minority, loot the taxpayers money and keep the power within the family. They have scant respect for peoples’ mandate!
Norhing new in this letter. Same hackneyed phrases..Congress beleives in the same idea..the idea that is to keep people poor, divide them on every conceivable grounds, say religion, caste, language, instill a fear of majority among minority, loot the taxpayers money and keep the power within the family. They have scant respect for peoples’ mandate!
It is same unrealistic remarks not accepting people’s mandate.
He is clever. He wants to get free to carryot his andolan on the back of his mayaa- ashwa ‘ the manipulated EVM, forwhich he will repeat with more force and new episodes the various oft repeated pointers
There is nothing New in the letter.Any one who knows history knows that Congress had used their power in superseding seniority in Supreme Court, made EC a branch of Govt by appointing Mr.Navin Chowla as EC and using Governors to topple State Govts.etc. B.J.P has done much less as Courts are more vigilant now.
I am sure Gandhi family will do back seat driving as they had done UPA 1 and 2 .
From Rahul Gandhi’s letter one thing looks very clear that the wishes of people don’t seem to matter to Rahul Gandhi. He doesn’t seem to trust and believe in the wisdom of people. Instead of introspecting for self correction, throughout his letters he has only accusations that he had been hurling for a long time now. He seems to be unable to catch up with changing time and is stuck with the Congress Idea of India that doesn’t seem to resonate with the people of India any more. Can a political party even exist while totally disconnected with the people?
When a party becomes a fiefdom, rejuvenation is challenging. Only BJP’s blunders can bring him back, and that day will be sad for India, because the Congress still wouldn’t have evolved. The sufferers in such circumstances will be the people of India.
Can anticipate his next steps. A few talks here and there are various women’s colleges interspersed with overseas trips. Parliament for him is boring.
NONSENSE!!! again..and again….never does he look to the future and things doable…for the betterment…only ..talk ..talk…the same stupid nonsense…when will he change..and when will this party change??
For a rising country like ours ..a strong opposition is required..which has a vision, roadmap,blueprint(Of their own as they feel everything that the ruling govt is doing ..is doing wrong.)….but alas niether does this “BOY” nor the congress party has all these..all they have arr the same old nonsensical talks..