Congress is abuzz with talk of its own organizational-reshuffle. This development comes parallel to talks of a reshuffle of the cabinet and organization of BJP.
Congress Party is expected to have a new leader in the Lok Sabha, among the larger changes in the organisation. At least two senior party-leaders have confirmed that Rahul Gandhi is a top contender for the job. They added that nothing is official about it because Gandhi is yet to agree to this.
The INC party is currently dealing with power rivalry between Amarinder Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu in Punjab.
The speculation about new leader is high especially after it has been observed that the centre has been following exactly what Rahul Gandhi has been suggesting through his speeches, tweets, & white papers, albeit at a gap of 10-15 days. Mr. Gandhi’s suggestions have been a type of guidelines for the centre through crises like Covid19, second wave, Oxygen-deficit, economy, vaccine-shortage. But, BJP vehemently refuses to accept this pattern.
It has been reported that Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are both keen that Gandhi accept this role and are trying to all they can to ensure he does.
Over the new leader of Congress, the grand old party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala has refused to comment.
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The post of Congress President could go to someone outside the family, if Gandhi accepts to be the leader in parliament. The two leaders added that this is something that would also address the demands of the Group of 23 Congress leaders who have been asking for internal elections. Since the tenure of the current All India Congress Committee is till 2022, the decision on the Congress President may be taken at a later stage.
But, not everyone in the Gandhi camp is convinced that he should take the job, which is currently carried out by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
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On the condition of anonymity, one Member of Parliament said, “This would tie him down to Parliament, and in some ways it is a much tougher job than being Congress President.” The MP is concerned that Rahul Gandhi may be limited to parliamentary affairs when the party needs him more on the ground among the people. BJP has often attacked Rahul Gandhi for his patchy parliament attendance. He has also been criticized for not being regular even in the parliamentary committee hearings.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was blamed for the Congress’ abysmal performance in the West Bengal elections. In the assembly election in the eastern state, where it ruled in 50s, 60s and 70s, Congress failed to get a single seat in the assembly. Additionally, Chowdhury’s colleagues also gave him poor reviews in managing the party’s affairs in Lok Sabha. Some of them even felt that he was not antagonistic enough to the ruling party.
It is worthwhile to note that Chowdhury has told a senior Congress leader that if the party decides to give him some other role, he will gladly accept it. Chowdhury might have to leave the West Bengal state Congress president’s post after the debacle of the party in the recent assembly polls, said one of the two congress leaders.
Rahul Gandhi has indicated that he may agree to taking up an official post.
On the condition of anonymity, a senior leader said, “Rahul Gandhi as leader in Lok Sabha was something that has always been an idea and even Pranab Mukherjee suggested it once.” The leader further added, “whether he will accept it at this stage is a big if.”
