Senior Congress leader Pawan Bansal, after the meeting, informed that Rahul Gandhi said, “I am willing to work for the party as all of you desire”.
At a meeting today with Congress “dissenters” who had written a letter criticizing the leadership and calling for an overhaul earlier this year, Rahul Gandhi said he is “ready to work for the party as all desire”. His comment was greeted with applause from all present, including the rebels, and has reinforced talk about the 50-year-old returning as Congress president as the party prepares to elect chief in the New Year, NDTV reported.
On the lawns of the Congress interim president’s 10 Janpath home, the five-hour meeting took place between Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and the so-called “rebels”. It also marked the first move towards reconciliation from Gandhis after months of feuding, revolt and resignations.
Senior Congress leader Pawan Bansal, after the meeting, informed that Rahul Gandhi said, “I am willing to work for the party as all of you desire”. Reportedly, Rahul agreed that “better communication” was needed and the party needed to strengthen itself at the booth-level.
However, according to sources, Rahul Gandhi did not mince his words as he addressed veterans like Kamal Nath, who lost power in Madhya Pradesh after senior leader Jyotiraditya Scindia rebelled and switched to the BJP. The Congress leader reportedly told Kamal Nath that even though he was Chief Minister, “RSS officers” (BJP’s ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) ran Madhya Pradesh. Mr Gandhi also told P Chidamabaram that in his state Tamil Nadu, the Congress, at the booth level was only an adjunct to ally DMK at the booth level.
When asked whether Rahul Gandhi’s comment and cheers it received meant his return as chief, Mr Bansal said: “No one has an issue with Rahul Gandhi… don’t put words in my mouth. The process of electing a congress president is in the process.”
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