SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee has urged Rahul Gandhi to take over command of the party in the country to continue fight against the “fascist and communal forces”.
“J&K Pradesh Congress committee has passed a unanimous resolution urging party president Sonai Gandhi to appoint Rahul Gandhi as new president of the party so that he can represent aspirations of the youth,” J&K Congress chief G A Mir told New Indian Express.
He said the resolution was passed during the meeting of newly elected 355 PCC delegates.
The resolution was moved by senior Congress leader Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed and seconded by other Congress leaders.
Mir said since party president Sonia Gandhi is not keeping good health, it is time for Rahul Gandhi to take over command of the party.
“Rahul is fighting the fascist and communal forces and he should take over the leadership of Congress, which is need of the time. All the Congressmen in the country are behind his leadership and have great desire that he should lead the party and play a vital role in overall development of the country and people as well,” he said.
Rahul, he said, is fighting the forces of hatred hell bent upon to divide the people and country to serve their dirty political ends.
Asked whether it means that the State Congress is not happy with functioning of Sonia, Mir said, “Who says they are unhappy with her. Every leader, who attended the meeting, said it will be good for the party if Rahul takes over as the party president.”
“Sonia is not keeping good health from last one year and it is not possible for her to travel extensively as is required by the national leader,” he said.
“After Sonia, Rahul is the next acceptable national leader. He is acceptable to all parts of the country and if he (Rahul) is made the president, it will be good for the party. Everybody wants him to take over the party to bring new thoughts and new energy,” he said.
It is expected that Congress may elevate Rahul as party president later this month.
Mir said Congress has given nation young leader after every 10-15 years and it is time for Rahul to take leadership of the party.
He said it would also have a positive impact on J&K. “All leaders felt that if Rahul takes over, young and energetic faces will join the Congress”.
“The youth comprise 45 % population of the country and if Rahul leads the youth, it would definitely have an impact. Narendra Modi had made lot of promises but has failed to implement those,” the State Congress chief.
Mir, who was appointed as J&K Congress president in March 2015, said the State Congress has also authorised the party president Sonia Gandhi to choose new J&K Pradesh Congress committee chief and the office bearers.
The State Congress is a divided camp with some senior leaders vying for the Pradesh Congress chief’s post.