Congress Working Committee Meeting: ‘Unanimously resolved to strengthen hands of Sonia, Rahul Gandhi’

In a seven-hour-long stormy Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Monday, it was decided that Sonia Gandhi will continue as the interim Congress president till a new chief is elected in an AICC session, which will be convened as and when the situation permits. Read the full text of the resolution adopted in Congress Working Committee meeting.

"The CWC, reflecting the overwhelming view and desire of the rank and file of the Congress, unanimously resolved to strengthen the hands of Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Shri. Rahul Gandhi in every possible way," said Congress leader K C Venugopal in the press briefing after CWC meet.

Venugopal continued: "The two voices that have been at the forefront of exposing the Government’s inadequate responses, divisive politics and audacious propaganda are of Smt Sonia Gandhi and Shri Rahul Gandhi." He said Sonia Gandhi’s hard questions on the handling of the migrants’ crisis put this government to shame. "She ensured that Congress-ruled states tackled the pandemic effectively and provided access to healthcare and treatment to all sections of the people. Her leadership has rankled and embarrassed those occupying the highest offices in this government. Rahul Gandhi has resolutely led the fight against the government from the front," he added.

K C Venugopal while addressing the media said the CWC has extensively deliberated on the letters and, after detailed discussion, places on record the following: First, the last six months have seen the nation go through multiple crises."We have been beset by (i) the Corona pandemic that continues to claim thousands of lives, (ii) downward-spiraling economy, (iii) massive job losses and growing poverty, and (iv) brazen aggression into and occupation of Indian territory by the Chinese."

CWC unanimously requests the Congress president Sonia Gandhi to continue to lead the Congress till AICC session is convened as and when the situation permits, said K C Venugopal in Congress press briefing.

CWC has extensively deliberated on the letter by 23 Congress leaders, said Congress leader K C Venugopal at press briefing on CWC meeting.

In her concluding remarks at the end of the CWC meet, Sonia Gandhi said she did not hold anything against those who have written the letter to her. "Let’s move ahead," she is learnt to have said.

Sonia Gandhi in her closing remarks said she doesn’t hold anything against those who have written the letter. Let’s move ahead, she is learnt to have said. @IndianExpress

— Manoj C G (@manojcg4u) August 24, 2020

Sonia Gandhi will continue as the interim Congress president till a new chief is elected in an AICC session, which will be convened as and when the situation permits, the party decided at the end of a stormy Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Monday. It was also decided that a committee will be set up to assist Gandhi look into the issues raised in the letter by 23 leaders.

Stormy #CWCMeet over. Sonia Gandhi will continue as interim Congress president. An AICC session will be convened as and when the situation permits. A committee will be set up to assist Sonia Gandhi look into the issues raised in the letter by 23 leaders. @IndianExpress

— Manoj C G (@manojcg4u) August 24, 2020

After Congress Working Committee meeting witnessed high drama over former party president Rahul Gandhi’s purported remark that some of the signatories of the letter calling for sweeping reforms within the party were “colluding with the BJP”, leaders from the Saffron party reacted saying Congress’ days are numbered. The Congress later, however, denied that Rahul made any such remark.

Writing off the Congress, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan opined that no one can save a party that accuses its own leaders of colluding with BJP if they raise their voices and put their demand before its central leadership. Read full story here

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Monday urged interim Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to convince Rahul to take up the party president post if her health does not permit. The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly then requested Gandhi to continue as AICC president. "And if you feel that your health may not permit for full-fledged dedication, I urge you to convince Shri Rahul Gandhi to take up the position," Siddaramaiah wrote to Sonia Gandhi.

Ghulam Nabi Azad went on to say, "In the meeting, I said those people who are outside the CWC who are making these allegations should prove it and I will resign if they prove it. Rahul Gandhi at no point said the letter was sent at the behest of BJP."

"In the meeting I said those people who are outside the CWC who are making these allegations should prove it and I will resign if they prove it. Rahul Gandhi at no point said the letter was sent at the behest of BJP", says Ghulam Nabi Azad. @IndianExpress

— Manoj C G (@manojcg4u) August 24, 2020

Ghulam Nabi Azad said that some from the Congress remarked that they wrote the letter at the behest of BJP and it was in that reference that he said it was unfortunate that some of his colleagues have said so. "Some Congress persons wrote yesterday that we are doing this at the behest of BJP. It is in that reference that I said that it is most unfortunate that some of our colleagues outside the CWC had gone to extent of saying that the letter was sent at the behest of BJP," said Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Ghulam Nabi Azad clarified that Rahul Gandhi had never said the letter was written at behest of or in collusion with BJP. "Let me make it very clear that Rahul Gandhi at no point of time has said, either outside or in the CWC meeting, that the letter was written at the instance, or at the behest or in collusion with the BJP."

Ghulam Nabi Azad: "Let me make it very clear that Rahul Gandhi at no point of time has said, either outside or in the CWC meeting, that the letter was written at the instance, or at the behest or in collusion with the BJP....." @IndianExpress #CWCMeet #Congress

— Manoj C G (@manojcg4u) August 24, 2020

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today urged Sonia to convince Rahul to take up the party's top post if her health does not permit for full-fledged dedication. The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly requested Sonia Gandi to continue as AICC president. "And if you feel that your health may not permit for full-fledged dedication, I urge you to convince Shri Rahul Gandhi to take up the position," Siddaramaiah's letter to Sonia read.

Speaking to reporters, BJP leader Uma Bharti said: "The Gandhi-Nehru family's existence is in crisis, their political dominance is over. Congress is finished.. so who stays in what position hardly matters now... Congress should return to Gandhi, the real 'swadeshi' Gandhi without any foreign element." 

#WATCH Gandhi-Nehru family's existence is in crisis, their political dominance is over, Congress is finished.. so who stays in what position hardly matters now... Congress should return to Gandhi, the real 'swadeshi' Gandhi without any foreign element: BJP leader Uma Bharti pic.twitter.com/oZQVVmnl7Q

— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2020

Congress leader and Chittapur MLA Priyank Kharge tweeted: "As usual media goes hyper on the 'planted' story of Rahul Gandhi ji saying Congress men are colluding with BJP and senior leaders daring the party. Bunch of lies planted by the usual suspects. Looks like salaries of media houses are being paid by BJP and RSS." 

As usual media goes hyper on the “planted” story of Rahul Gandhi ji saying Congress men are colluding with BJP & senior leaders daring the party.
Bunch of lies planted by the usual suspects. Looks like salaries of media houses are being paid by BJP & RSS.

— Priyank Kharge / ????????? ????? (@PriyankKharge) August 24, 2020

Maharashtra minister Vijay Wadettiwar today said the Congress epitomises democratic values, and the letter written by some party leaders to Sonia Gandhi over demand for a "full-time" president should not seen as opposition to the current leadership. "The Congress party epitomises true democratic values, hence the letter should not be seen as opposition to current leadership," the senior party leader was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Asked if Rahul Gandhi asks the Maharashtra Congress to snap ties with the Shiv Sena, Wadettiwar said, "If he asks us to leave the government, we will do it immediately. We will not stay with the government one more day." Another Congress minister Sunil Kedar said he does not subscribe to the demand of some "so called intellectual leaders" from Maharashtra about the central party leadership. "Those leaders should first tender an unconditional apology or they will not be able to roam freely in the state. The Gandhi familys leadership has helped the country and the party to progress for several decades," he said.

On Ghulam Nabi Azad's threat to quit the party, AIMIM Asaduddin Owaisi tweeted: "Poetic Justice: @ghulamnazad GHULAM NABI sb u'd accused me of exactly this. Now you're accused of the same. 45 years of ghulami for this? Now it's proven that anyone opposing Janeudhari leadership will be branded B-Team. I hope Muslims now know the high cost of loyalty to Congress."

Poetic Justice: @ghulamnazad GHULAM NABI sb u'd accused me of exactly this. Now you're accused of the same. 45 years of ghulami for this? Now it's proven that anyone opposing Janeudhari leadership will be branded B-Team I hope Muslims now know the high cost of loyalty to Congress https://t.co/cdodv5x7B4

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) August 24, 2020

"When former Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia raised his voice, he was accused of colluding with BJP. Now when leaders like Gulam Nabi Azad and Kapil Sibal are demanding a full-time party chief, they are also being accused of colluding with BJP. No one can save such a party," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told news agency ANI.

Withdrawing his earlier tweet and subsequently putting an end to the row over the "colluding with BJP" alleged remark by Rahul, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said: "Was informed by Rahul Gandhi personally that he never said what was attributed to him. I therefore withdraw my tweet." 

Was informed by Rahul Gandhi personally that he never said what was attributed to him .

I therefore withdraw my tweet .

— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) August 24, 2020

While Congress leaders Kapil Sibal and Ghulam Nabi Azad continued to remain miffed over Rahul Gandhi's purported "BJP" remark, spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the former Congress chief did not make any such statement. "Rahul Gandhi hasn’t said a word of this nature nor alluded to it. Please don’t be mislead by false media discourse or misinformation being spread. But yes, we all need to work together in fighting the draconian Modi rule rather then fighting and hurting each other and the Congress," he tweeted.

Sh. Rahul Gandhi hasn’t said a word of this nature nor alluded to it.

Pl don’t be mislead by false media discourse or misinformation being spread.

But yes, we all need to work together in fighting the draconian Modi rule rather then fighting & hurting each other & the Congress. https://t.co/x6FvPpe7I1

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) August 24, 2020

After Kapil Sibal, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad rejected Rahul's charge that some of the signatories of the letter were colluding with the BJP. He added that he would quit all posts if the charge was proven.

Explosive #CWCMeet . Leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad rejects @RahulGandhi 's charge that some of the signatories of the letter were colluding with the BJP. He says will quit all posts if the charge is proven. @IndianExpress

— Manoj C G (@manojcg4u) August 24, 2020

Congress leader Kapil Sibal, meanwhile, hit out at Rahul for allegedly saying that the dissidents are "colluding with the BJP". While referring to the recent victory in Rajasthan, he tweeted: "Rahul Gandhi says 'we are colluding with BJP'. Succeeded in Rajasthan High Court defending the Congress Party. Defending party in Manipur to bring down BJP government. Last 30 years have never made a statement in favour of BJP on any issue. Yet 'we are colluding with the BJP'?"

Rahul Gandhi says “ we are colluding with BJP “

Succeeded in Rajasthan High Court defending the Congress Party

Defending party in Manipur to bring down BJP Govt.

Last 30 years have never made a statement in favour of BJP on any issue

Yet “ we are colluding with the BJP “!

— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) August 24, 2020

Extending her support to the Gandhi family, Manickam Tagore, Lok Sabha MP from Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu, said on Twitter, “We are Loksabha members present in different parts of the country and we can’t sign in one letter so our leader in Loksabha wrote first we are following it. It’s more voice than 23.” Varsha Gaikwad, Congress MLA and Minister of School Education, Maharashtra, posted the letter with the message, “My heartfelt letter to Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji urging her to consider all Congress workers humble appeal.” Some other Lok Sabha MPs who posted the same letter are Jothimani (Karur), Saptagiri Ulaka (Koraput), Md Jawaid (Kishanganj) and Ravneet Singh Bittu (Ludhiana). Those from Rajya Sabha include Amee Yagnik, Rajee Satav and PL Punia.

During the meeting, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned the timing of the letter written by 23 senior leaders. He said the letter was written at a time when the party was battling a crisis in Rajasthan and party interim chief Sonia Gandhi was unwell.

#CWCMeet
Rahul Gandhi questions the timing of the letter written by 23 senior leaders. Says letter written at a time when the party was battling a crisis in Rajasthan and Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi was unwell. @IndianExpress #Congress

— Manoj C G (@manojcg4u) August 24, 2020

PTI sources also said that Sonia Gandhi handed over a letter to Congress leader KC Venugopal, in response to the note sent by the dissidents. The contents of the letter were read out during the meeting, sources added.

According to PTI sources, Sonia Gandhi referred to the letter by Ghulam Nabi Azad, among others, while offering to quit as party chief. She also called for start of process to select the new party president. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and senior leader AK Antony urged the interim chief to continue with her role till a permanent president was appointed.

Expectedly, both former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and senior leader A K Antony ask Sonia Gandhi to continue as interim chief till a full time president is appointed by AICC. @IndianExpress

— Manoj C G (@manojcg4u) August 24, 2020

Congress leader Salman Kurshid writes: "The Congress cannot and must not concede that the Gandhi-Nehru socialist, secular ideology has been defeated and rejected by the people of India. It matters not how virulent the attacks get on our more recent Nehru-Gandhi legacy. Rejecting the RSS’s divisive agenda is only a part of our ideology, the creative endeavour to weave the inclusive fabric of national unity is the more challenging part of our ideological commitment. We might be charged with faltering on the functional attributes of strategy, but there cannot be any question about our ideology being diluted. Of course many of our traditional voters remain confused: The farmer about our ability to shift terms of trade to agriculture; the working class about their interests versus liberalisation; the secularist about our objective acceptance of religion; the minorities about the inability or reluctance to take on the majoritarian agenda." 

During the meeting, Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi asked CWC to relieve her of her duties. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, however, urged her to continue as the party head.

#CWCMeet

Sonia Gandhi expresses her unwillingness to continue as interim Congress president. Asks the CWC to begin deliberations to begin the process of "transition" to relieve her from duty. @IndianExpress

— Manoj C G (@manojcg4u) August 24, 2020

The CWC meeting underway via video conferencing.

A crucial meeting of the Congress Working Committee began today at 11 am amid an upheaval in the party caused by a letter written by 23 senior leaders of the party calling for far-reaching and sweeping reforms in the party which has riven the organization like never before in its recent history. Indications are that embattled interim president Sonia Gandhi may convey to the top policy and decision-making body of the party her unwillingness to continue at the helm. If she does that, the grand old party may face yet another round of convulsions over the vexed leadership question.

Speaking to The Indian Express on the current crisis, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said: " I am not in a position to brush aside all their concerns. They certainly enjoy that right being party leaders. But one thing I want to say is that they are all senior leaders of the party. They have all contributed to the Congress. All these senior leaders have enjoyed good proximity with Soniaji and Rahul Gandhi. They had more access to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi than leaders like me. Why did they feel the need to write this kind of letter?… They would have got ample opportunity at the CWC on Monday to speak their mind… Everything could be discussed. She would have immediately conceded their demand if they wanted to discuss all these issues. This kind of letter has been written unnecessarily… This will not help the party much. They could have easily raised all these issues before Soniaji and Rahul or in the forum. This will simply help the BJP." 

Party veterans Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh also extended their support to the Gandhi family and expressed faith in the leadership of Sonia Gandhi. "We must not forget that in spite of the canard against Smt. Sonia Gandhi, she led the Congress Party to victory in 2004 and made Atal Bihari Vajpayee sit at home," Nath, who is the Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, tweeted late Sunday night. "Any suggestion or insinuation that Mrs. Sonia Gandhis leadership is in question is absurd. I appeal to Mrs. Sonia Gandhi to give strength to the Congress Party by continuing as President and lead the Congress," he added. Digvijaya Singh said it is time for the Congress to unite. "The family that has sacrificed for the country's independence and thereafter is well known. I do not agree with what is coming in the media. I cannot even imagine a Congress without Nehru Gandhi family," Singh posted in the micro-blogging site. 

According to news agency ANI, Congress workers today gathered and raised slogans outside the AICC office in the national capital, and demanded that the party chief remain from the Gandhi family. "We want party president from the Gandhi family only. The party will be destroyed and will break away if any outsider is made the president," Congress worker Jagdish Sharma was quoted as saying. 

Delhi: Congress workers raise slogans outside AICC office, demanding that Party President should be from Gandhi family.

Congress worker Jagdish Sharma says, "We want Party President from Gandhi family only. Party will be destroyed & break away if any outsider is made President." pic.twitter.com/b5HzTptuhJ

— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2020

Former Union Minister Salman Khurshid asked: “Are not many, if not all authors of the letter not beneficiaries in the past, some even in the present, of the very system they find questionable?” Senior leader Ashwani Kumar said the issues that required to be addressed can be addressed under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi. “Only a year ago, party persons literally begged her to lead the party and she agreed as a call of duty. It is wrong to question her unifying leadership at this stage. I am of the view that under the present extraordinary circumstances, political adventurism cannot be the way forward,” he said.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said: “It is unfortunate that the leadership of Gandhi family is being questioned by few…In these difficult times of undeclared emergency and attack on democracy by BJP, we should collectively strive to strengthen the Congress and not weaken it.” “As far as Congress is concerned, we have full faith in the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and the party is unanimous on one issue that whenever time comes Rahul Gandhi should be elected president,” said former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and CWC member Harish Rawat.

Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot said most several leaders want to see Rahul Gandhi take over the party. "Mrs Gandhi and Rahul ji have shown what it means to sacrifice for the greater good of the people and the party. Its now time to build consensus and consolidate. Our future is stronger when we’re united. Most Congress workers would like to see Rahul ji take over and lead the party," he tweeted.

Mrs Gandhi and Rahul ji have shown what it means to sacrifice for the greater good of the people and the party.Its now time to build consensus and consolidate.
Our future is stronger when we’re united. Most Congress workers would like to see Rahul ji take over and lead the party

— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) August 23, 2020

Sanjay Jha, who was sacked as Congress spokesperson last year, wondered why those supporting the Gandhis did not seek a change in leadership. "We lose 2 Lok Sabha elections back to back both being the worst defeats of the Congress. It is followed by several state election losses. We surrender states in power back to the BJP. Not one meeting to debate failure in 6 years. And still some people don’t want change???"

We lose 2 Lok Sabha elections back to back both being the worst defeats of the Congress.

It is followed by several state election losses.

We surrender states in power back to the BJP.

Not one meeting to debate failure in 6 yrs.

And still some people don’t want change???

— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) August 24, 2020

Jammu And Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee today also extended their support to Rahul Gandhi to be the next party president "if there is any change in Congress President".

Jammu And Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee extends support to Rahul Gandhi to be the next party president "if there is any change in Congress President". pic.twitter.com/OQbRupbYzu

— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2020

Amarinder Singh also claimed the Gandhis were the only “recognisable face” of the Congress, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. “What Congress needs is a leadership that is acceptable not just to a few but to the entire party, through its rank and file, and the nation at large,” he said, adding that “the Gandhis were the right fit for this role.” Sonia Gandhi, he said, should continue to helm the Congress as long as she wanted and Rahul should, thereafter, take over as he was competent to lead the party. Baghel said Sonia and Rahul are the only “ray of hope” for bringing the country out of the present crisis. Former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said that “most Congress workers would like to see Rahul take over and lead the party.”

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, in his statement, said there was a bid by “some Congress leaders” to “challenge” the Gandhi family leadership of the party and argued this was not the time to raise such an issue, given the need for a strong opposition against the BJP-led NDA that was out to destroy the country’s Constitutional ethos and democratic principles. Significantly, he said that the NDA’s success was attributable to the absence of a strong and united Opposition – a sentiment expressed by the 23 leaders – but argued the move by “these Congress leaders to demand a rehaul of the party at this critical juncture would be detrimental to its interests, and the interests of the nation.” Singh added: “India is currently facing not just external dangers from across the border but also internal threats to its federal structure…a unified Congress alone could protect the country and its people.”

On Sunday, the Delhi unit sent a letter to Sonia asking her to make Rahul the president. This was echoed by Thorat: “Come back Rahulji. Not only the Congress party but the entire country needs you.” “I personally believe that it is only you and your family that can lead the party and only you can lead us all…If you feel that it is time to pass on the mantle of leadership you may do so by kindly persuading Rahul to take up the leadership,” Shivakumar wrote. “With difficulties our nation is going through at this time we need a leader like Rahul Gandhi to lead the youth and nation from front. In short, every Youth Congress member and office bearer unwaveringly supports Rahul Gandhi to be the next Congress President,” the Youth Congress said in a resolution.

Congress leader in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's support to Sonia Gandhi came days after 23 senior leaders, including five former Chief Ministers, many Congress Working Committee members, sitting MPs, and several former Union Ministers, in an unprecedented pushback, sent a letter to the party chief calling for sweeping changes, from top to bottom. Acknowledging the rise of the BJP and admitting that the youth decisively voted for Narendra Modi, the letter points out that the erosion of the support base and losing the confidence of the youth are matters of serious concern. The letter, learnt to have been sent a fortnight ago, details a reforms agenda that is, in effect, a stinging indictment of the current leadership.

On Sunday, the party’s leader in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, sent Sonia Gandhi a letter pledging full support to her and Rahul and so did several PCC chiefs: Kerala’s Mullappally Ramachandran; Karnataka’s D K Shivakumar; Tamil Nadu’s K S Alagiri; Punjab’s Sunil Jhakar; Maharashtra’s Balasaheb Thorat and Delhi’s Anil Chaudhary. “We write to you today with a heavy heart and in light of recent reports over concerns raised by some leaders about Congress’s leadership. We, the members of Parliament representing the length and breadth of the country, have heard and read with dismay and disbelief these claims being made…. We write to you today to tell you, unequivocally, that we have complete faith in your leadership…We know you are facing difficulties. Yet it is our humble appeal to you to continue to be our leader. The Congress is only safe in your hands or those of Rahul,” Chowdhury’s letter said.

Amidst a growing tumult over the leadership issue, a crucial meeting of the Congress Working Committee will be held on Monday wherein party interim president Sonia Gandhi is expected to announce her final decision on whether she would continue leading the party. Facing a slew of critical questions put on record by 23 senior leaders in an unprecedented letter to her, Sonia, on Sunday, signalled she is “not willing” to continue as interim Congress president. This set off a well-coordinated chorus of support for her and son Rahul Gandhi in the form of letters and statements from across state units led by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, his Chhattisgarh counterpart Bhupesh Baghel and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Follow this space for all the latest updates.