After the poll debacle in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Rahul Gandhi was reportedly set on resigning as the Congress President despite persuasion from senior leaders to continue. He had even tendered his resignation which was rejected by Congress Working Committee. Now a newspaper report suggests that Rahul Gandhi may step down as the President of Congress and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot may take over.
According to a report in Navbharat Times, Congress seems to have made up its mind to let Rahul Gandhi step down and hand over the reins of the working of the party to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
The report, however, says that it is not yet evident whether Ashok Gehlot will be the only President or there would be other Presidents of the Congress party who would share the workload.
According to the report in Navbharat Times, Congress has already asked Ashok Gehlot to stay prepared for the added responsibility in the coming days.
On Rahul Gandhi birthday, when Ashok Gehlot had gone to wish, according to this report he tried to persuade Rahul Gandhi to continue as the Congress President, however, Rahul Gandhi was adamant and said that unless a new leadership is chosen, the Congress party cannot revive itself and make a fresh start.
Rahul Gandhi has apparently also made clear that when he steps down, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s name also cannot be considered as the Party President. The report touted this as a result of PM Modi making ‘dynasty politics’ a poll plank.
Ashok Gehlot is reportedly being chosen because he has experience in running the party affairs considering Congress performed well under his guidance in the 2017 Gujarat Assembly Elections.
One of the other reasons that Gehlot is being considered, according to Navbharat Times, is because he is from a backward class, and if Congress hopes to revive itself, it needs the votes of the backward classes which are currently in support of PM Modi. Gehlot also has a better relationship with Sonia and Rahul Gandhi as compared to several other senior leaders of the party.
The report also says that if Ashok Gehlot is made the Congress President, Sachin Pilot may become the Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
