NEW DELHI: In a stern message to G23 leaders questioning party leadership, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said that she is a "full time and hands on president" and would expect that the other party leaders would talk to her directly rather than through the media.
Senior party leaders AK Antony and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot called upon Rahul Gandhi to take over the reins of the party. He thanked them for the offer and said that he would consider it. Sonia's remarks came at the Congress Working Committee meeting, which was the party's first physical meeting in the last 18 months since the outbreak of COVID-19.
The meeting was called after a group of dissenting leaders said that they did not know who was taking decisions in the party in the absence of a fulltime president. This group had written to her last year and flagged several issues including elections.
"I am, if you will allow me to say so, a full-time and hands-on Congress president. I have always appreciated frankness. There is no need to speak to me through the media. So let us all have a free and honest discussion," Sonia said.
In response, the G23 members of the Congress Working Committee - Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Mukul Wasnik - said that they never questioned her leadership and have full faith in her. Sonia said that the entire organisation wants a revival of the Congress but this requires 'unity and keeping the party's interests paramount'.
"Above all, it requires self-control and discipline. I am acutely conscious of the fact that I have been interim Congress president ever since the Congress Working Committeeasked me to return in this capacity in 2019. We had thereafter, you may recall, finalised a roadmap for electing a regular president by June 30, 2021. But the second wave of COVID-19 overtook the country and this deadline was extended indefinitely by the Congress Working Committee in its meeting held on May 10, 2021," she added.
Sonia's statement has for time being brought an end to the matter that Rahul was calling shots in the party. Asked whether Rahul has been calling the shots in the party, general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said: "He is a very important leader."
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