The Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s announcement to resign from the top post was followed by a letter from 23 senior leaders creating ripples in the rank and file of the party.
The storm in teacup which started on Sunday provided the much-needed attention for media and other political parties. But, it subsided on Monday evening, following Sonia Gandhi’s re-election as temporary president of the Congress.
Earlier, Sonia’s announcement was followed by her son Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Wadra clarifying that they were not in the race to the top post. This has made the whole issue of resignation and election of a new president of the party more interesting making all heads turn towards 10 Janpath.
Media too did not lag behind and started peddling headlines flashing the names of former PM Manmohan Singh and senior party leader A K Anthony as the two probables for the top post.
The Congress chief reportedly did not speak a single word during the AICC meet. It seems that she has foreseen the result of the meet where senior and junior party leaders came up with conflicting opinions, with many exhibiting dissidence openly in the form of a letter. For Sonia, the internal bickering is not new. She knows it too well, how at regular intervals, the issue of ‘resignation-reelection’ keeps cropping up followed by meek surrender of dissenting voices.
It has been proven again that be it the rise or fall, all should and will happen under the close watch of the Nehru-Gandhi family. The unspoken and unwritten rules of the party’s succession code make it clear that only Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi (if he accepts) and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra can inherit the Presidency of the party and no one else. And, no senior party leader can ever dare to think of a seat in the front rows on their own.
Once again, realizing the stark reality, party senior leaders Kapil Sibbal, Ghulam Nabi Azad and their likes, who have earlier expressed their anguish of being humiliated took a U-turn by Monday evening. While Sibal has removed his controversial tweet, Azad has reaffirmed his loyalty to the family. Proving his unquestionable credentials of being a staunch supporter of Sonia, former PM Manmohan Singh announced that she will continue to head the party. Senior Congress leader and close confidante of Gandhi family AK Antony followed suit seconding the same.
