Sonia Gandhi likely to resign as Congress President after UP, Punjab polls

New Delhi: Sonia Gandhi is likely to resign from the post of Congress President after the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab due to health reasons.

According to a report in The Indian Express, Sonia wanted to step down from her position long back but the senior leaders in the party insisted that she waits till the polls in the two states.

“She (Sonia) is most likely to step down after the election. She is not in favour of completing the full tenure [of her extended 1-year term as party president],” sources told the news daily.

The sources also said the process of appointment of Rahul as the party president has been initiated, but he will be promoted only after the polls. Party’s young workers and Congress Vice-President’s core team had been demanding that Rahul be given charge of the party.

The Congress Working Committee, earlier this month, unanimously voiced "strong sentiment" for his elevation.

It was party veteran A K Antony who set the ball rolling at the meeting, which lasted for four hours, when he spoke about the need for Rahul to take over the mantle of the 130-year-old party from her mother and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. All other members, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh followed suit.

Antony said all members including Manmohan Singh, insisted it was "high time" Rahul took over as party chief and the Congress mobilised "all forces" to take on "anti-people and dictatorial" policies of the Modi government.

Rahul, who presided over the meeting as Sonia Gandhi was reportedly indisposed, said he was ready to accept whatever responsibility is bestowed upon him by the Congress president and the CWC, in "fighting for the idea of India."