Future still ahead of Rahul Gandhi, says TNCC chief Su Thirunavukkarasar

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Congress which has sent 8 MPs has pitched in for the continuation of Rahul Gandhi as party president. Former TNCC president Su Thirunavukkarasar who got elected from Tiruchy, asserted that Rahul was not solely responsible for the poll debacle and that future is still ahead of him.

"Victory or defeat in an election seldom determines the influence or future of a leader. Viewed in this aspect, the defeat of the Congress in the just concluded Lok Sabha elections is a setback," Thirunavukkarasar said. Wondering how Rahul alone could be made accountable for the defeat, he said there are leaders and cadres in several States who should introspect.

Rahul, the former TNCC chief, said, is functioning effectively and was keen on ushering in change. "There is no question of him stepping down. Congress members and people of the country want him to continue as party president," Thirunavukkarasar said and added being young Rahul Gandhi has a bright future. "He will become the Prime Minister of India," he added.

Two days after the Congress Working Committee 'unanimously rejected' Rahul Gandhi's offer to reign, media reports said that the leader is unlikely to change his mind about stepping down.

On Monday Rahul met Congress leaders K.C. Venugopal and Ahmed Patel and conveyed that the party would have to find a new president, as he would not give into pressure to continue in the top post.

Another report claimed that he wanted the new president to be from outside the Congress' first family, ruling out the idea of his mother Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Vadra taking over.

Averring that Rahul was not desperate to become PM, Thirunavukkarasar said had Rahul wanted he would have become PM during the UPA regime.

Another leader E. V. K. S. Elangovan brushed away reports of the Congress president stepping down, and said that it is not possible to separate Congress party from Nehru's family.

"Rahul Gandhi worked very well in this election. He worked harder than Modi for this election. In his leadership, Congress will again win in India," he said.