Few have the courage: Priyanka praises Rahul after his resignation
A day after Rahul Gandhi publicly announced his resignation from the post of Congress President, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hailed his decision saying few have courage like him. Priyanka, who stepped into active politics before polls, took to Twitter to reveal she has utmost respect for him. To note, Rahul quit from the post taking full responsibility for Lok Sabha debacle on Wednesday.
Quoting Rahul's letter, Priyanka said he was courageous
Few have the courage that you do @rahulgandhi. Deepest respect for your decision. https://t.co/dh5JMSB63P
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) July 4, 2019
In his resignation letter, Rahul said accountability was critical
Rahul, under whose leadership Congress shrunk to only 52 seats in summer polls, said accountability was critical for the future of the party. "It is a habit in India that the powerful cling to power, no one sacrifices power. But we will not defeat our opponents without sacrificing the desire for power," Rahul wrote. He said he would always remain a Congressman.
On his successor, Rahul said he won't take the call
"Many of my colleagues suggested that I nominate the next Congress President. While it is important for someone new to lead our party, it would not be correct for me to select that person," wrote Rahul, clarifying he would not be involved in the decision.
Interestingly, Rahul resigned weeks ago but Congress tried convincing him
To recall, Rahul had told members of Congress Working Committee (CWC) that he can't continue to lead the party on May 25 itself. But Congress kept tiptoeing. In the last couple of weeks, several Congress leaders met him in the hope of changing his mind. Some young leaders even staged a dharna. But Rahul remained adamant and asked CWC to choose his successor soon.
After Rahul's bombshell, Congress leaders met to discuss future
Thrown into a tizzy after Rahul's action, senior party leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mukul Vasnik, Ahmed Patel, AK Antony, Ashok Gehlot met late on Wednesday night to discuss the future course of action. With Rahul, apparently, telling that his successor can only be a non-Gandhi, the problems of CWC members have just increased manifold. A CWC meeting is expected next week.
Next week, Congress may declare name of its interim president
During next week's meeting, CWC could announce the name of Congress' interim president. According to Congress' constitution, "In the event of any emergency by reason of any cause such as the death or resignation of the president elected as above the senior-most general secretary will discharge the routine function of the president until the working committee appoints a provisional president pending the election of the regular presidency by AICC."
Who will be appointed as Congress' interim president?
According to reports, veteran Congress leader Motilal Vora could be appointed as the acting president. He, however, hoped Rahul would go back on his decision. "We will once again request Rahul Gandhi to continue as the president of the party when the Congress Working Committee holds a meeting," Vora said. Ahmed Patel also reflected the same thoughts by saying Rahul will remain "his leader".
