The Congress Working Committee (CWC), which met on Monday, has urged party vice-president Rahul Gandhi to take charge from his mother and current president Sonia Gandhi who is ailing and could not attend the meeting. However, the CWC also approved her extension as party president for a year.
It was for the first time that Rahul presided over the CWC. “Number of party members expressed strong sentiments that Rahul Gandhi must take over the president-ship of the party,” senior Congress leader and former Union minister A.K. Antony told the media. “It is high time that Congress mobilize[d] all its forces to fight against the dictatorial rule of the [Narendra] Modi government.”
The decision over the change of guard will be that of the party president, he said.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, “Congress vice-president was present in CWC meeting, he said whatever party and committee will decide, he would be ready to take up any challenge. Rahul Gandhiji said he wants to fight for idea of India and whatever party workers decide he will be ready to take up that role.”