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Sonia to campaign for Priyanka’s debut from Wayanad  

The Wayanad Lok Sabha seat will go to polls on November 13, along with the Palakkad and Chelakkara Assembly seats….reports Asian Lite News

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson and former party President, Sonia Gandhi, will campaign in Kerala’s Wayanad for her daughter and party General Secretary, Priyanka Gandhi, who is contesting her first electoral battle. 

Priyanka Gandhi will be contesting from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, where a by-election was necessitated after sitting MP Rahul Gandhi, who was also elected from UP’s Raebareli, vacated the seat to retain the family stronghold.

The Wayanad Lok Sabha seat will go to polls on November 13, along with the Palakkad and Chelakkara Assembly seats. Votes will be counted on November 23.

Sonia Gandhi is returning to Kerala after many years and will be joined by both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for a roadshow scheduled for Tuesday, according to state Congress leaders.

Rahul Gandhi had retained the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 3,64,422 votes over his nearest rival, Annie Raja of the Communist Party of India. This was, however, a dip against his 2019 performance when he won with a record majority of 4,31,770 votes over P. P. Suneer of the CPI.

After Rahul Gandhi vacated the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, the state Congress unit invited Priyanka Gandhi to contest and announced her as the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate from Wayanad.

Senior Congress leaders in Kerala are expecting a majority of more than five lakh votes for Priyanka Gandhi from the UDF stronghold of Wayanad.

Congress General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal, who is also the MP from the state’s Alappuzha Lok Sabha seat, will be coordinating Priyanka Gandhi’s election campaign in Wayanad.

Meanwhile, Indian Union Muslim League leader P. K. Basheer, who is the MLA from Eranad – which forms part of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, claimed in an election committee meeting that Congress workers in Wayanad were lethargic during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

He mentioned that in Assembly constituencies led by Congress leaders, Rahul Gandhi could not secure a huge majority, while in constituencies led by Muslim League leaders, he achieved good leads.

He urged Congress leaders to be proactive in their constituencies and increase Priyanka Gandhi’s lead so that she secures a record-winning margin.

The CPI has fielded senior leader and former MLA Sathyan Mokeri, who criticised Rahul Gandhi for being unavailable for common voters, including tribals, after winning the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in both 2019 and 2024.

He predicted a similar situation in Wayanad if Priyanka Gandhi won, and urged the people to vote for him and help the Left Democratic Front (LDF) win the by-election in the Wayanad constituency.

The BJP has announced the candidature of Mahila Morcha State General Secretary, Navya Haridas, from Wayanad. State BJP President, K. Surendran, had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Wayanad.

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Sonia unanimously elected as Chairperson of CPP

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Sonia Gandhi appreciated Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for his commitment to the party organization…reports Asian Lite News

After being unanimously elected as Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), Congress leader Sonia Gandhi emphasized on Saturday that the Indian National Congress has proven its resilience in the face of formidable challenges in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, adding that the party is being strengthened by the support of its allies within the INDIA bloc.

Sonia Gandhi congratulated the newly elected Lok Sabha MPs and said that they’ve fought a tough election under the most challenging of circumstances — defying the slogan of BJP’s “Congress-mukt Bharat.”

“I am deeply conscious of the great responsibility all of you have placed on me yet again. Let me first of all greet and congratulate all the newly elected Lok Sabha MPs. You have fought a tough election under the most challenging of circumstances. You have surmounted many obstacles and campaigned so very effectively. Your success has given us a much greater presence in the Lok Sabha and a more effective voice in its proceedings, both of which will help give greater strength to our participation,” she said in her speech which was posted on X by party leader Jairam Ramesh.

Sonia Gandhi appreciated Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for his commitment to the party organization.

“The Indian National Congress has once again demonstrated its resilience. It was up against a mighty and malevolent machine that was doing its utmost to destroy us. It tried to cripple us financially. It carried out a campaign against us and our leaders that was full of lies and defamation. Many wrote our obituaries!But under the determined leadership of Khargeji, we persevered. He is an inspiration to all of us. His commitment to the party organization is truly extraordinary and we all have to learn from his example,” the Congress leader said.

Calling Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra as ‘historic movements’, Sonia Gandhi thanked Rahul Gandhi for his tenacity and determination to fight on in the face of unprecedented personal and political attacks.

“The Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra were really historic movements which rejuvenated our party at all levels. Rahul deserves special thanks for his tenacity and determination to fight on in the face of unprecedented personal and political attacks. He also shaped our narrative on guarantees and protection of the Constitution very sharply,” she said.

Sonia Gandhi also thanked all the colleagues and workers across the country who worked so hard and so very diligently for the party’s success.

“The CWC Resolution passed earlier in the day has also thanked all our colleagues and workers across the country who worked so hard and so very diligently for our success. On your behalf, I wish to reiterate that sentiment strongly. Lakhs of workers in both rural and urban areas have stood by the party in the most difficult of times. We salute their courage and commitment. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Ours has also been a campaign where we have functioned truly as a collective.To those of our colleagues who contested the elections but lost I extend our full support and tell them that they fought valiantly and did our party proud,” she said.

Highlighting the increased numbers of party’s member in Parliament, the Congress leader said, “Our numbers in Parliament have increased significantly. Not only is the Indian National Congress a large contingent in the Lok Sabha but we are bolstered by the strength of our INDIA partners some of whom have themselves come back impressively.”

“Yet, as we celebrate our recovery, we must also reflect on what we need to do to improve our position in states where our performance has been far below our expectations. The Congress President spoke about this earlier in the day at the CWC and I wish to reinforce his plea,” she added.

Hitting out at Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi over his governance in the last 10 years, Sonia Gandhi said that since the former who sought the mandate solely has faced the defeat in this Lok Sabha election, it is the responsibility of the CPP to have a special obligation to be watchful, vigilant and proactive in holding him and his new NDA Government accountable.

“The Prime Minister who sought the mandate solely in his name to the exclusion of both his party and its allies has suffered a political and moral defeat. In reality, he has lost the mandate he sought and thereby lost the right to leadership as well. Yet, far from taking responsibility for failure he intends to get himself sworn in again tomorrow. We do not expect him to change the substance and style of his governance, nor take cognizance of the will of the people. That is why, as members of the CPP, we have a special obligation to be watchful, vigilant and proactive in holding him and his new NDA Government accountable,” she said.

“No longer can and should Parliament be bulldozed like it has been for a decade now. No longer will the writ of the ruling establishment be permitted to disrupt Parliament, whimsically mistreat members or push through legislation without due and proper consideration and debate. No longer can and should Parliamentary Committees be ignored or by-passed like they have been since 2014. No longer will Parliament be muzzled and stifled as it has been over the past ten years,” the Congress leader added.

She said that in this election the people have voted decisively to reject the politics of divisiveness and authoritarianism.

“We have challenging times ahead. We have to be alert to prevent any attempts to increase polarization and erosion of secular and democratic values enshrined in our Constitution by the ruling cabal. All such attempts have to be thwarted. This is a renewed opportunity for us as a Party that established parliamentary democracy in our country to bring parliamentary politics back on track to where they legitimately belongs. In this election the people have voted decisively to reject the politics of divisiveness and authoritarianism,” Sonia Gandhi stated.

“They have voted to strengthen parliamentary politics and safeguard our Constitution. They have voted for the agenda of economic and social justice. That indeed should continue to be our objective and guide. Friends, this is a very emotional moment for me. I have received so much love and affection from you. Let me close by the assurance to you all that I will do my best and more to fulfill the trust and confidence you have continued to place in me,” she added. (ANI)

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Sonia Gandhi Elected Unopposed to Rajya Sabha

Sonia has been representing Rae Bareli in the Lower House since her initial election as an MP in 2004, maintaining the Congress stronghold….reports Asian Lite News

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan on Tuesday.

Earlier on February 14, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi filed her nomination for the Rajya Sabha election from Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra congratulated Sonia Gandhi and said, “Congratulations to respected Sonia Gandhi ji on being elected unopposed as Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan and best wishes for a bright tenure.”

“We have full confidence that your extensive parliamentary experience, excellent work efficiency, and unlimited decency will make the Upper House proud and the dignity of Rajasthan will increase and the issues of the people of the state will be raised,” he posted on X on Tuesday.

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who had represented the seat since 2004 informed voters of Rae Bareli that she would not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls due to health and age issues.

Saying that she would not seek a fresh term in the Lower House from the Congress stronghold in the upcoming polls, Sonia wrote on February 15, “My family in Delhi is incomplete without you. It becomes complete after visiting Rae Bareli–meeting you all. This relationship is very old and deep, which I have received from my in-laws’ house as fortune.”

Expanding on the ‘relationship’ that the Gandhi family shares with the people of Rae Bareli, the veteran Congress leader stated further, “In the first Lok Sabha polls after independence, you elected my father-in-law, Firoze Gandhi, and sent him to Delhi as your representative. Later, you elected my mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, as your representative. With so many ups and downs, this relationship of ours continued to be on the path of love and excitement. And our dedication towards it gradually strengthened.”

Sonia was elected as an MP from Rae Bareli for the first time in 2004. Since then, the Congress leader has been representing the Congress stronghold in the Lower House.

The current chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party served as the party’s national president for almost 22 years, between 1998 and 2022, and is a five-time Lok Sabha MP from Rae Bareli.

The move to file nominations for Rajya Sabha comes ahead of Lok Sabha polls expected to be held in April-May this year.

There are 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Rajasthan. In the upcoming biennial elections, three seats in the State are up for grabs. The ruling BJP is set to get two of the seats, while the Opposition Congress will get one, on the basis of their respective strengths in the State Assembly.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was last elected to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, is retiring in April this year. The term of Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav will come to an end this April. Besides one Rajya Sabha seat in the State has become vacant after the resignation of the BJP’s Kirodi Lal Meena. (ANI)

BJP Sweeps All 4 RS Seats in Gujarat

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured all four vacant Rajya Sabha seats unopposed on Tuesday in Gujarat.

BJP President Nadda, diamond magnate Govind Dholakia, Jasvantsinh Parmar and Mayank Nayak were elected unopposed in their bid for the Rajya Sabha.

Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has 26 Lok Sabha seats.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won all the 26 seats for the second consecutive time.

Meanwhile, J.P. Nadda will remain as the BJP National President till June this year, party sources said.

Last year, the decision taken in the party’s National Executive meeting to extend Nadda’s tenure was also approved in the National Council meeting held on Sunday.

Last year, the party had decided to extend the tenure of Nadda till June this year in view of Lok Sabha elections.

Following the decision of the party’s Parliamentary Board, in the BJP National Executive meeting held in Delhi in January 2023, the proposal to extend the presidential tenure of JP Nadda till June 2024 in view of the Lok Sabha elections was approved, in the party’s National Council meeting.

The BJP National President has also been authorised to take many major decisions in the meeting, which can later be approved by the party’s Parliamentary Board.

BJP National General Secretary Sunil Bansal presented a proposal to amend some provisions of the party’s constitution on the second and last day of the national convention meeting, which was unanimously accepted.

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Sonia sends emotional message to Rae Bareli voters

Sonia was elected as an MP from Raibareli for the first time in 2004. Since then, the Congress leader has been representing the Congress stronghold in the Lower House…reports Asian Lite News

A day after filing her nomination for elections to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, on Thursday, penned an emotional note for the people of Raibareli, the Congress’s ‘pocket-borough’ in Uttar Pradesh that she still holds till the general elections are notified.

Saying that she would not seek a fresh term in the Lower House from the Congress stronghold in the upcoming polls, Sonia wrote, “My family in Delhi is incomplete without you. It becomes complete after visiting Raibareli–meeting you all. This relationship is very old and deep, which I have received from my in-laws’ house as fortune.”

Expanding on the ‘relationship’ that the Gandhi family shares with the people of Raibareli, the veteran Congress leader stated further, “In the first Lok Sabha polls after independence, you elected my father-in-law, Firoze Gandhi, and sent him to Delhi as your representative. Later, you elected my mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, as your representative. With so many ups and downs, this relationship of ours continued to be on the path of love and excitement. And our dedication towards it gradually strengthened.”

She added that the people of Raibareli welcomed her with open arms and extended their ‘unwavering support’ after she lost her husband and mother-in-law (later former Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi).

“During the past two elections, you have been standing with me like a hard rock. I can never forget that. I am proud to say that whatever I am today, it is because of you,” she wrote.

Sharing that she wouldn’t contest the seat this year owing to her advancing age and health concerns, Sonia wrote, “Due to my health and age, I would not be able to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. After this decision, I will not have the opportunity to serve you in a direct way. However, my heart will always belong to you.”

Sonia was elected as an MP from Raibareli for the first time in 2004. Since then, the Congress leader has been representing the Congress stronghold in the Lower House.

The current chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party served as the party’s national president for almost 22 years, between 1998 and 2022, and is a five-time Lok Sabha MP from Rae Bareli.

The Lok Sabha polls are expected to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)

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Sonia Gandhi to file nomination for Rajya Sabha polls

Sources said her son Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will accompany her when she files nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections…reports Asian Lite News

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi will file her nomination for Rajya Sabha elections tomorrow and the final decision on the state she will represent in the upper House of Parliament will be taken tonight, sources said on Tuesday.

Sonia Gandhi, who was Congress president for almost 22 years between 1998 and 2022, is a five-time Lok Sabha MP.

Sources said her son Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will accompany her when she files nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections.

“Final decision on the state to contest from will be taken by tonight,” a source said.

Top sources said while Rajasthan is “top” in terms of choices, some other state units have made offers for her to file the nomination.

They said she is likely to opt for Rajasthan with a seat held by the party in the state having fallen vacant due to the retirement of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had also been a member of Rajya Sabha.

Sonia Gandhi, who is chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, has been repeatedly elected to Lok Sabha from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh.

The move to file nominations for Rajya Sabha comes ahead of Lok Sabha polls expected to be held in April-May this year.

The Congress is yet to announce candidates for the biennial elections for 56 seats from 15 states. The last date for filing nominations is February 15.

The Election Commission last month declared the schedule for the biennial poll for 56 Rajya Sabha seats and voting will take place on February 27. (ANI)

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When Modi, Sonia came face-to-face in Parliament


Modi greeted Sonia Gandhi by saying “Namaste”, and in her response, the Congress leader also greeted the Prime Minister with folded hands…reports Asian Lite News

The relationship between the ruling BJP and the principal opposition party Congress has been quite bitter in the last few years, with both parties slamming each other at regular intervals over a number of issues.

The scenario, however, looked a bit different for a change on Sunday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the interim president of Congress Sonia Gandhi came face-to-face in the Parliament.

Both leaders faced each other at the Central Hall of Parliament House on the occasion of the wreath laying ceremony organised on the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation — Mahatma Gandhi, and late former Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri.

PM Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh offered garlands on the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri.

After a while, Sonia Gandhi also proceeded to put garland on the portrait of the two departed leaders.

Modi greeted Sonia Gandhi by saying “Namaste”, and in her response, the Congress leader also greeted the Prime Minister with folded hands.

Despite the exchange of greetings, a tinge of tension was visible.

Several group photographs were also clicked in which both PM Modi and Sonia Gandhi were also present but none of them neither communicated with anyone not made any eye contacts.

Later, both Rajnath Singh and Sonia Gandhi greeted each other with a “Namaste”.

Bharat Jodo Yatra

Sonia Gandhi will join Bharat Jodo Yatra on October 6 in Karnataka’s Mandya district, a top source told ANI on Sunday.

It appears that Congress is trying to rejuvenate the party ahead of the Assembly elections in several States and 2024 Lok Sabha polls as Congress presidential elections will be held on October 17 in which Shashi Tharoor and Mallikarjun Kharge are in a direct fight while Gandhis have opted out of the race.

She is expected to leave for Karnataka on Monday afternoon and will reach the Mysore district.

Sonia Gandhi will stay in Madikeri town of Kodagu district for two days before joining the Yatra.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will also be joining the Yatra a day after Sonia Gandhi will join it, the source added.

Although Priyanka Gandhi’s program is yet to be finalised, she was expected to join the yatra earlier but due to some reasons she couldn’t join it, the sources said.

It will be the first time when all three Gandhis will be present in the Bharat Jodo Yatra which started from Kanyakumari on September 7 and has travelled from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and will cover 511 kilometres of the area in 21 days.

Sonia Gandhi recently travelled abroad for her medical checkup but during this period she lost her mother too.

Now the public appearance of all three Gandhis will be witnessed amid the schedule of the Congress president election and none of the Gandhis are fighting the poll. (IANS/ANI)

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Sonia Gandhi, Smriti Irani face-off sparks war of words

Other Congress leaders present at the spot have claimed that Irani pointed a finger at Gandhi and said, “How dare you, don’t behave like this. This is not your party office”…reports Asian Lite News

Union minister Smriti Irani heckled Sonia Gandhi and shouted at her, pointing a finger, the Congress said on Thursday after the exchange between the two leaders set off a political storm. Many versions are circulating about the dramatic exchange — most of them from BJP leaders who claim Sonia Gandhi had rebuffed Irani when she tried to cut into her conversation with the BJP’s Rama Devi.

In a statement, Jairam Ramesh — Congress MP and the party’s General Secretary-in-Charge of Communications — said Smriti Irani had “behaved inappropriately” with Sonia Gandhi and used “derogatory terms”.

“Sonia Gandhi was talking to a BJP MP, Rama Devi. Smriti Irani came to Sonia Gandhi and spoke abusive words in a very derogatory tone. When Sonia-ji politely told her, ‘I am not talking to you, I am talking to another MP,’ Smriti Irani shouted, ‘You don’t know me, who I am’. MPs of many other parties and Congress MPs are witnesses to this incident,” read Ramesh’s statement in Hindi.

“What kind of behaviour is this? Can an MP not even talk to a fellow MP? Smriti Irani can make her point in a political way. Why is she taking such a heckling attitude with a senior MP and a party president?” Ramesh added.

Other Congress leaders present at the spot have claimed that Irani pointed a finger at Gandhi and said, “How dare you, don’t behave like this. This is not your party office”.

The exchange took place after a heated Lok Sabha session where Irani had accused Sonia Gandhi of sanctioning her party MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s “Rashtrapatni” remark on President Droupadi Murmu. Calling her “anti-tribal, anti-Dalit and anti-woman”, she had demanded that the Congress chief apologise.

After the session was adjourned, Sonia Gandhi crossed the floor and spoke to Rama Devi, pointing out that Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has apologised and questioned what was her fault, sources said. That was when Smriti Irani reportedly tried to cut into the conversation, saying “Madam, may I help you? I took your name”. Sources said Sonia Gandhi had then retorted, “Don’t talk to me”.

Trinamool’s Mahua Moitra, one of the MPs who witnessed the exchange, tweeted that Gandhi was heckled “pack-wolf style”.

“Was in Lok Sabha when 75-year-old lady senior leader encircled and heckled pack-wolf style when all she did was walk over and speak (masked) to another senior lady panel chairperson. “Disgusted to read BJP lies and false version in press,” her post read.

Chowdhury has apologised for his “Rashtrapatni” remark, saying it was a “slip of tongue” owing to language barrier. He said he would meet Ms Murmu and apologise to the President “a hundred times” if she says she was hurt by his remark.

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Let’s not remember 1971 war victory with arrogance: Sonia

The Congress leader said that 50 years ago, “the brave and courageous people of Bangladesh had given themselves a new future”…reports Asian Lite News.

Interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi said on Wednesday that the country should remember its 1971 victory in the India-Pakistan war with the spirit of pride, determination and contemplation, and not out of arrogance, or as self-glory.

She made the remarks while taking part in the concluding ceremony of a programme marking the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, following which Bangladesh, formerly known as East Pakistan, was freed from Pakistan and came to be known as a sovereign and independent country.

“I would like to extend a special note of thanks to all the former members of the armed forces for sharing their experiences and talking about the strategy adopted to achieve the ultimate victory,” she said.

The Congress leader said that 50 years ago, “the brave and courageous people of Bangladesh had given themselves a new future”.

“India stood by their side in solidarity to help them in various ways. India has not just given hope, but also humanitarian aid to nearly 10 million refugees. It garnered international support,” she said.

“Bangladesh raised its voice in regional and global fora. When it was attacked, a highly-successful military operation was launched. The fearless freedom fighters of Bangladesh should be remembered and encouraged. The finest Indian civil servants and intelligence agencies of that time should be remembered and appreciated. All those who stood with Bangladesh and India in different countries should be remembered and appreciated,” she said.

Sonia Gandhi further said that above all, the discipline, dedication, valour and sacrifice of the Indian armed forces “should be remembered and saluted”.

“It was this extraordinary convergence of a well-planned and well-executed political, diplomatic and military strategy that earned 1971 war a special place in the history of the subcontinent… a history that also gave a new shape to the geography of the region,” she said.

The Congress leader also spoke about the political leaders who oversaw the India-Pakistan war of 1971. Remembering then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi — her mother-in-law — she praised the late leader’s leadership style.

“Today, we remember Indira Gandhi with a great amount of pride. She became an inspiration for crores of Indians due to her boldness and resilience,” Sonia Gandhi said.

The senior Congress leader futher said that it would not be an exaggeration that the year 1971 was “Indira Gandhi’s best year in many ways”.

“She received a huge mandate in March that year. When the crisis erupted in Dhaka, she grasped its implications and swung into action. She contacted all political parties and public figures, and wrote letters the Presidents and Prime Ministers of other countries, apart from sending the envoys abroad.

“She ensured that the USSR stood with India, and sensitised the entire world community towards the interests of the people of Bangladesh through personal interviews, meetings and appeals,” the Congress chief said.

“One can never forget the way she stood up to the bullying of the then US President, and made India proud. Those were some days, weeks and months of stress. However, she remained composed and confident. She also had an able and veteran leader in Jagjivan Ram as Defence Minister in her cabinet,” she said.

Taking a jibe at the Narendra Modi-led Central government, Sonia Gandhi said: “Today, we are celebrating a splendid achievement. But I think Indira Gandhi wanted us to do this not out of arrogance or a sense of self-glory, but out of contemplation. So let us remember and celebrate that glorious occasion and reaffirm our steadfast commitment to those values,” she said.

“Today we also congratulate the people of Bangladesh. The country has made great progress in the face of great challenges. Bangladesh has very cordial relations with India, and there is a special responsibility to maintain and deepen that relationship,” she added.

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, ex-Speaker and Union minister Meira Kumar, and senior party leaders A.K. Antony and Mallikarjun Kharge attended the event, among others.

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CWC likely to give nod to elections for new party president

The G-23 sources say that they have time to prepare a strategy and push their agenda in the CWC. However, the group is in a minority in the CWC and it is unlikely that they can push anything without the approval of Sonia Gandhi…reports Saiyed Moziz Imam Zaidi

It’s official that the Congress Working Committee will be meeting on October 16 to deliberate on many issues and after demands from many quarters for elections it may give the nod to organisational polls, sources said.

The Congress has not had a regular president since the resignation of Rahul Gandhi in 2019 and from August that year Sonia Gandhi has been the party’s interim president. Congress G-23 leaders have time and again raised the issue of organizational polls in the party.

The Central Election Authority has already submitted the list of voters and has prepared digital cards for AICC members who can vote in the party’s presidential elections. However, the G-23 has demanded a fresh voters’ list which could see a face-off between loyalists and reformists within the party.

The CWC can remove or appoint a new president but a two-thirds majority is required for making changes. The working committee appointed Sonia Gandhi as President in 1998 when it removed then party chief Sitaram Kesri.

The G-23 sources say that they have time to prepare a strategy and push their agenda in the CWC. However, the group is in a minority in the CWC and it is unlikely that they can push anything without the approval of Sonia Gandhi.

The sources say that if Rahul Gandhi agrees to contest the elections, then it is unlikely there will be a contest but if he pushes any proxy then there will be a contest.

“Ghulam Nabi Azad had written a letter to Sonia Gandhi for a CWC meet but the group is in a minority and it is unlikely that they can push for any resolution of their choice,” a source said. The CWC constitution says, “The Working Committee shall consist of the President of the Congress, the Leader of the Congress Party in Parliament, and 23 other members of whom 12 members will be elected by the AICC, as per rules prescribed by the Working Committee and the rest shall be appointed by the President. The quorum for a meeting of the Working Committee shall be eight.” Meanwhile, all special invitees have been summoned as well.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mukul Wasnik and Anand Sharma, who were signatories to the letter written to Sonia Gandhi last year for visible and effective leadership and reforms in the party, are among the CWC members.

The G-23 leaders have recently raised the pitch in the wake of some high-profile exits from the party, noting that the issues they raised have not been dealt with so far.

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal had launched an attack on the party leadership, asking who was taking decisions in the party. He said that the demand for organisational elections has not been met even a year after the letter was written.

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CWC meeting will be called soon as ‘G-23’ have sought: Surjewala

“Before going to Shimla, the Congress President had held that the CWC meeting will be called soon. The meeting will be held soon,” he said…reports Asian Lite News.

A meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party’s highest decision-making body, will be summoned soon as demanded by the ‘G-23’ leaders, party General Secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said on Thursday.

According to Surjewala, interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi had last week indicated that the meeting will be held soon.

“Before going to Shimla, the Congress President had held that the CWC meeting will be called soon. The meeting will be held soon,” he said.

It is understood that veteran party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is one of the G-23 leaders seeking an overhaul in party functioning, had written to Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday seeking that a CWC meeting be called at the earliest to deliberate on various key matters concerning the party.

Meanwhile, at a press conference on Wednesday, senior party leader Kapil Sibal, who is also in the G-23, had expressed concern about the party’s functioning and also sought a CWC meeting soon.

He had said that the CWC meeting would enable those Congress leaders, who are not happy with some recent party decisions, get a proper forum to voice their views. There could also be a discussion why some leaders were quitting the party, he said.

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