Dissent grows in Congress over Rahul elevation

K V Thomas, another former minister, too came out in support of Sonia Gandhi, saying “she is leading the party very well and is able provide an effective leadership.”

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“Sonia Gandhi is leading the party very well. Her leadership started years ago when the party was facing a big crisis. Under her leadership, the party came back to power in 2004 and then again in 2009. It is right we faced an electoral debacle. But she is able to give an effective leadership. Rahul Gandhi has also made his contribution…. All of us have to stand behind her and help the party to reconnect with the people and launch people’s programmes and agitations,” he said.

Slamming those who have demanded that Rahul be made party president, Kumar said the timing of his elevation should be left to the Congress president. “Speaking for myself, I am clear that the timing of the Rahul Gandhi taking over as president of the party should be best left to the judgment of the Congress president… Sonia Gandhi has provided outstanding leadership to the party in difficult times and her sagacity has ensured cohesiveness in the party. At a time when the challenge is to rebuild the party, we need both the wisdom and maturity of Sonia Gandhi and the energetic complimentary role of Rahul Gandhi,” Kumar said.

Jairam Ramesh, considered close to Rahul, on the other hand said he is ready for a greater responsibility. While he denied the perception that two centres of power have emerged in the party, he said “their views may differ at times”.

During an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai on Headlines Today, Ramesh said that to say there is a conflict is wrong. He said the decision on Rahul’s elevation is a decision which the party leadership has to take, but he has no doubt that Rahul is ready for a greater responsibility. He added that the Rahul projected in the media is very different from the leader he is in the party.

He made light of Rahul’s absence during the Budget Session and said he will return a changed man who is open, communicative, pro-active, accessible and more dynamic. Ramesh also said that Rahul is not going to shy away from accountability or responsibility.