The major reshuffle in the party organization include many Rahul loyalists. Many senior leaders of Congress have been relieved from the post of general secretary.
New Delhi| Late on Friday night Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi released a slew of changes in the party’s working committee, state in-charge and central election committee. The new appointments came on the wheels of “Letter Bomb” by several senior leaders of the party who called for an active and on-ground leadership for the party. After a stormy CWC session last time, the changes were expected.
The new names, however, clearly bear the stamp of Rahul Gandhi which suggest Sonia Gandhi herself has cleared the way for Rahul re-appointment to the post of the party president. The major reshuffle in the party organization include many Rahul loyalists. Many senior leaders of the party have been relieved from the post of general secretary. The reformed CWC includes fresh faces from the party. A new committee of 6 leaders has been formed to help Sonia Gandhi in choosing the new president.
However, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Soni, Mallikarjun Kharge have been retained in the new CWC. Digvijay Singh has been included in CWC on Permanent Invitation.
On the other hand, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Motilal Vora, Ambika Soni, Mallikarjun Kharge have been removed as general secretaries. Of these, Ghulam Nabi Azad was one of the 23 leaders who wrote letters to Sonia Gandhi on 7 August when she was hospitalized. In this letter, these leaders had demanded ‘full time leadership’ in the party, who were ‘active’ in the field and also saw its effect.
Sources in the Congress say that the use of terms like fulltime leadership and activeness in the field was pointing out that the Congress faction did not want Rahul Gandhi as president again. Sonia Gandhi, who has been working with the old team till now, has made clear her intentions by making new appointments to the organization, working committee and general secretary on Friday after this ‘letter bomb’.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh has returned to the Congress Working Committee after two years. At the same time, Sachin Pilot, who recently revolted from the party in Rajasthan, has been kept in the cooling-off period. What responsibility should be given to him in the party will be decided later.
The Big Jolt to Azad
Ghulam Nabi Azad seems to have suffered the biggest blow as he is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. In the last CWC meeting, Ghulam Nabi Azad was at the forefront of those who opposed an alleged statement of Rahul Gandhi. It is also believed that his chances of getting a Rajya Sabha ticket again are scarce.
6 leaders have been included in the special Committee which will decide the way forward.
Sonia suggested setting up a committee to change the party leadership. A committee of 6 leaders has been formed for this. It is believed that this committee will now clear the way for Rahul Gandhi’s coronation and new changes in the party organization.
Special Committee To Assist Sonia Gandhi
The committee consists of Sonia Gandhi’s most trusted Ahmed Patel and former Defense Minister AK Antony, Organization General Secretaries KC Venugopal and Mukul Wasnik. Party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala has got the biggest promotion. He has been made the General Secretary and has been included in this committee. He has also been given charge of Karnataka. Ambika Soni, who was removed from the post of general secretary due to age, has also been included in this committee.
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