Rahul Gandhi to become Congress chief in November: Sources
Sources said the Himachal Pradesh polls on November 9 and the sudden illness of party president Sonia Gandhi had slightly delayed the process which was to be completed by October end.
Published: 30th October 2017 09:00 PM | Last Updated: 30th October 2017 09:00 PM | A+A A-
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi is expected to become Congress chief in November, top sources said adding the Himachal Pradesh polls on November 9 and the sudden illness of party president Sonia Gandhi had slightly delayed the process which was to be completed by October end.
“People who matter will remain till Himachal polls on November 9. Soniaji’s sudden illness further delayed the process,” a senior AICC functionary told The New Indian Express. “The election for the post of party president should be over by end of November,” he said.
According to him, Sonia’s role is critical as she would decide the date of the Congress Working Committee meeting, which will approve the schedule for the election of party chief.
“I will become, I will become,” Rahul told reporters at the AICC after chairing a strategy met with senior leaders when asked when was he taking over as Congress president.
Mullapally Ramachandran head of Central Election Authority, which is conducting the party’s internal elections, has submitted the plan to Sonia. Besides, senior leaders have also requested her to take a call on the issue at the earliest, said the sources.
“Though Sonia is empowered to approve the schedule as Congress chief, she would like to follow the due process of getting a CWC approval,” said the sources.
Usually, the schedule for the election for the post of party president is spread over three weeks but it still requires at least 10 days even if there is no contest.
“Just one applicant means the person can be declared elected unopposed but we still need to follow the rules and wait till the last date for withdrawal of nomination is over,” said an AICC veteran.
Sources acknowledged Rahul’s upgrade has been pending for long but expressed hope that it was not linked to the outcome of the Gujarat assembly polls in December.
The election of delegates, who vote for the post of Congress chief, is over in most states which have passed resolutions urging Rahul to take over the organisation.
