NEW DELHI: In what is viewed as serious revolt against party leadership, a scathing letter from 23 senior Congress leaders across states questioning Sonia Gandhi’s authority has prompted her to air resignation plans from her top post as the party’s interim president. Sonia reportedly conveyed the decision to quit to a few party veterans, even as the crucial Working Committee meeting has been slated Monday to discuss and decide on the letter demanding a thorough overhaul including leadership change.
Sonia’s post as interim president had expired with one year ending on 10th August after which, leaders across the party were told there was no organisational change until election of a new president. The present letter from prominent names including former chief ministers and PCC presidents, and 23 senior party leaders comes questioning that state of affaris and more. Signatories to the letter include Sashi Tharoor and PJ Kurien from Kerala and party veterans Gulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Mukul Wasnik, Bhupender Singh, Hooda, Prthviraj Chaughan, Rajendrakaur Patel and Veerappa Moili.
The current crisis was triggered after both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka refused to assume party presidentship albeit the Rahul brigade is vehemently opposed to a non-Gandhi candidate at the helm. Majority party leaders, including those not signatories to the dissent note, however insist the party cannot continue leaderless and that a new president should be found, whether from inside or outside the Nehru clan. The situation is also a culmination of rising tensions between Rahul brigade and party seniors, since party’s dismal performance in Lok Sabha polls last year. The letter demanding leadership change was sent on 7th this month but remained under wraps until last week, when ousted Congressman Sanjay Jha divulged the contents on twitter - a happening that party leadership initially denied. And now, as mom Sonia faces fire over continuing with the top post, Rahul Gandhi is yet to speak his mind on the option.
