The leader of main opposition party, Sonia Gandhi, has asked her party to begin the process of replacing her as chief, after more than 20 senior leaders called for better decision-making in the party, which has ruled for much of the country’s independent history.
What happened
An internal dispute had emerged in the party after 23 senior Congress leaders reportedly wrote to president Sonia Gandhi raising a 5-Point Agenda to revive the party and emphasising the need for active leadership in the party. They also raised questions about the party’s condition and direction and demanded the election of the Congress Working Committee.
After Congress suffered its second successive defeat in Lok Sabha polls in 2019, Rahul Gandhi stepped down as party chief and Sonia Gandhi took over. She completed one year as the party’s interim chief earlier this month. There has been a debate in the Congress on the issue of leadership with a section of the party pitching for return of Rahul Gandhi as the party president.
Twists and turns
The row took a turn with Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) units and frontal organisations pouring in resolutions and letters to Sonia Gandhi expressing gratitude towards her and former party chief, Rahul Gandhi.
Different voices have emerged within the party with one section demanding a collective leadership, and another group seeking return of Rahul Gandhi to the helm.
Leader of the Congress Party in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, wrote a letter to Gandhi in which he has written about the reports of the said letter from senior leaders that, “At a time when the country faces a grave threat from the BJP-RSS and their governance, to raise the bogey of a ‘leadership crisis’ at the behest of some interested parties, is only a ‘manufactured truth’ that they would like to perpetuate to derail yours and Rahul Ji’s persistent efforts to pin down the Modi government on its failed governance. This is a deliberate attempt to weaken the party.”
Further, he praised both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for their leadership and said, “We know you are facing difficulties. Yet, it is our humble appeal to you to continue to be our leader. The Congress party is only safe in your hands or in those of Rahul ji. No one else can, nor will, do justice.”
A counter-strategy was adopted by leaders to show huge support for the Gandhis as several MPs followed Chowdhury and wrote the letter to Sonia Gandhi on the same lines. One of the MPs who wrote the letter said, “When few leaders can raise their voice through one letter, why can’t elected MPs write the same letter to counter.”
CWC meeting
High drama unfolded at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting with a Rahul Gandhi questioning the timing of the letter when the party was at its weakest. It was also reported that he alluded to the letter writers colluding with the BJP.
Congress leader Kapil Sibal expressed displeasure over the purported remark. However, later withdrew his statement following a clarification from Rahul.
Meanwhile, Sonia reiterated her unwillingness to continue as the Congress interim chief and asked the CWC to begin the process of “transition” to relieve her from her duties.
