The upcoming election for the post of Speaker of Parliament told Sonia Gandhi that Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor is considering running for election on Monday, and she will remain “neutral” if he does.
Rajasthan’s prime minister, Ashok Gehlot, still wants former party leader Rahul Gandhi to change his mind and take office, according to sources. If Rahul sticks to his decision, sources say Gehlot could join the fray, and the party could witness a battle for the lead 22 years after him.
Tharoor’s meeting with Sonia, who returned from abroad on Friday, also came as other state bodies in parliament passed a resolution urging Rahul to become president. , meaning the family will “remain neutral” in the upcoming presidential election.
Tharoor, one of the G-23 leaders who want a radical change in how the party operates, declined to give details of the 40-minute meeting. Several leaders who spoke with him told the Indian Express that Sonia had assured him of her neutrality.
The party leader said he was under the impression that Tharoor supported “free and fair elections” and believed that fierce struggle would strengthen the party.
Congressional sources had previously suggested that Sonia had asked Gehlot to lead the party. The elections are seen as an attempt to send a message that they are free and fair, given that G-23 leaders have questioned the fairness of the process.
The party leader also said Sonia was considering it and when she told her why, she didn’t stop Sonia from fighting back.
While parliament claims a resolution backing Rahul Gandhi as party leader will not affect the party’s elections, concerns expressed by the G-23 leaders have led to the leadership to lay the groundwork for him. “Change of mind”.
“Anyone who wants to participate is welcome, free of charge. This has been the consistent position of the Congress President and Rahul Gandhi. It is an open, democratic and transparent process. No need,” AICC Communications Director Jairam Ramesh said.
Sources say Tharoor wanted to assess Sonia’s views on the election. This was in light of the G-23 leaders’ belief that a resolution in favor of Rahul had been passed by his PCC at the leadership’s discretion, laying the groundwork for him to “change his mind”.
Adding to the excitement over the party’s potential run for election, Tharoor on Monday backed a petition by a group of young parliamentarians calling for “constructive reform” and full implementation of the Udaipur Declaration if elected.
“I applaud this petition filed by a group of young @INCIndia members calling for constructive reform of the party. She has collected over 650 signatures so far,” Tharoor said in the petition.
Citing the May 15 Chintan Shibir Party’s Udaipur Declaration, the petitioner said that as a member of parliament, “we want to strengthen the party to reflect the hopes and aspirations of our country.”
Adding to it, “To include party members from bloc commissions to the CWC in all candidates for presidential election of the All India Congress Committee and to publicly pledge to fully implement the Udaipur Declaration within 100 days of taking office. ,” the statement petitioned.
Leaders on the Gandhi Replacement:
Some leaders said Gandhi welcomed competition even if he did not claim.
One leader said, “Gandhi has never fought for the lead except once in 24 years.” was facing a contest.) Other leaders who want to be Speaker of Parliament will (choose) fight and win, even if it requires Gandhi’s blessing. The consensus is only about Gandhi.”
Bihar PCC President Madan Mohan Jha said a resolution in favor of Rahul was adopted by the state-run body “unanimously” on Monday, “in the interest of the country and the party.”
Rahul wasn’t thrilled, so Jha said, “It’s our job to ask him. It’s my responsibility to get the feelings and emotions of the workers and managers to his attention. I am getting the signatures of those present at the resolution and sending it to him, and the rest is in his hands.”
The Tamil Nadu PCC said in a “unanimous” resolution proposed by Secretary of State K.S. The resolution said it was essential for Rahul to take the reins of the party to “save” the people and ensure victory for secular and democratic forces in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
