Vacant CWC posts can wait till year-end, asserts Sonia

The names included AR Antulay, SB Chavan, Prataprao Bhonsale and others from Maharashtra, SC Jamir from Nagaland and some Muslim leaders who wanted to replace the expelled trio in the Congress’ top-decision making panel.

But that isn’t likely to happen in a hurry. First, a truncated CWC suits Sonia after the recent shock of a revolt by three members of the panel. She retains control with three members less to contend with. Also, the added argument is that since Congress organisationalpolls are to be held towards the end of the year, there is no hurry to fill the posts now, more so as two of the three expelled members were elected to the CWC in 1997.

Only Sangma was nominated later by Sonia. Apparently, the Congress president is keen to tread carefully having burnt her fingers once. The result: no new CWC members will be taken on board. The lobbying is thus expected to cease, at least till after the midterm polls.