New Delhi: In a last-ditch attempt to convince Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his resignation, the sub-committees formed to choose his successor are likely to recommend his name for the post of Congress president at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting Saturday evening.
Sources in the party told ThePrint that at least three of the five sub-committees, chaired by former prime minister Manmohan Singh, secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal and Uttar Pradesh (east) in-charge Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are likely to name Rahul Gandhi for the post of Congress president.
Five sub-committees were formed with state Congress chiefs, CWC members and senior party leaders for consultations on who should be the next Congress chief. Many were asked to send in their opinions on the matter via text or call.
According to sources, Priyanka, who chairs the north region sub-committee, was among several leaders who asked Rahul to reconsider his resignation.
“Nobody was prepared to suggest any other name,” a senior Congress leader told ThePrint. “We have seen him work in the last year, and while we respect his feelings, we hope he will consider.”
The consensus was that only Rahul can take the party out from its debilitating state, the leader added.
Another leader said: “Everyone wants Rahul to continue as (the party) chief.” “Our report is likely to recommend him.”
“Most people feel that it should be him,” a second senior leader present at the CWC meeting held in the morning told ThePrint. “We are hoping this will make him change his mind, even the grassroot workers want him to stay,” he added.
Rahul had decided Friday to begin wider consultations with party’s various office-bearers and senior leaders on who should take over as the party chief.
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Rahul, Sonia opt out from picking party chief
Soon after the CWC meeting concluded this morning, Rahul and Sonia Gandhi recused themselves from the process of selecting the next party chief.
“Consultation on who will be next party president is going on. Naturally Rahul and I cannot be a part of this process,” Sonia told the media.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters, party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the CWC has not accepted Rahul’s resignation. He, however, added that despite being asked to continue by everyone in the morning meeting, Rahul had insisted on stepping down.
“All five sub-groups will submit their reports on who will be the next president, or interim president at 8 pm this evening,” Surjewala added.
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