Rahul Gandhi should be Congress chief, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Sunday, ahead of a closely-watched meeting of the party’s top decision-making body where its massive election defeat is expected to be discussed.
“Rahul Gandhi should become the party president. For the last three decades, nobody from the Gandhi family became a PM or a minister. It is significant to understand that the Gandhi family is important for Congress’ unity,” he told news agency ANI, shortly before the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting began in Delhi.
“Politics of polarisation is easier. BJP propagated Congress as a Muslim party on social media. Our way is to maintain the integrity and unity of the country. During polls, religion comes to the forefront while issues of inflation and jobs take a back seat for BJP,” he said.
“In 2017, Congress was united and we won. After Channi became the Chief Minister the environment was conducive too but it was our mistake that due to internal conflict we lost assembly elections in Punjab,” Mr Gehlot said.
The massive rout in the five states has revived searing criticism of the Gandhi family and demands for a complete overhaul and leadership change – a demand that may no longer be confined to the “G-23” or group of 23 “dissenters” who had written to Sonia Gandhi two years ago.
