CWC passes resolution urging Sonia to remain Congress president

The Congress on Monday (August 24), in a resolution, requested its interim president Sonia Gandhi to remain the chief of the party even as she reiterated her decision to step down as the party’s interim chief and asked for a replacement to be chosen during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting.

“…the CWC unanimously requests Smt. Sonia Gandhi to continue to lead the Indian National Congress until such time as circumstances will permit an AICC session to be convened,” the resolution read.

Earlier, the CWC urged her to stay on as party chief after she offered to step down, following a letter by more than 20 leaders demanding an “active, full-time and visible” president. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh led the demand for Sonia Gandhi continuing as Congress president.

Though a large section of leaders backed Sonia Gandhi at the nearly seven-hour virtual meeting of the Congress highest decision-making body to discuss the pivotal leadership issue, the faultlines were clear and appeared to deepen at some points as the day progressed.

Former president Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack against the signatories, questioning their timing as well as the fact they went public with their grievances. He also rued the fact that the letter was written when Sonia Gandhi was in hospital and the party was battling a political crisis in Rajasthan.