Rahul Gandhi would on Saturday take charge as the new Congress president, and handing over the reins to him would be his mother Sonia. However, by all indications, Sonia is not retiring from the political front.
“My role now is to retire,” Sonia told a TV channel in Parliament House. The question put to her was whether she would continue in the role of leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party. This immediately resulted in intense speculation on whether the 71-year-old leader had stated that she was retiring from political life.
Friday was the first day of the winter session of Parliament, and alongside Sonia was Rahul, the Congress' president-elect, when she answered the question. The remark came a day ahead of Rahul taking charge as Congress president.
Soon enough, the Congress clarified that Sonia was not retiring from politics. “Smt Sonia Gandhi has retired as President of Indian National Congress and not from politics,” tweeted Randeep Surjewala, head of the AICC Media Department.
“Her blessings, wisdom and innate commitment to Congress ideology shall always be our guiding light,” he said.
As Sonia hands over the reins of the Congress to son Rahul, it will bring an end to her presidentship of the party that lasted close to 20 years. For over three years now, she had taken the backseat, primarily due to ill health, and it was Rahul who was taking all decisions in the party. However, party leaders say she will continue in a mentor-like role, and is also expected to reach out to allies. It is still not clear whether she will give up her position as head of the CPP, which decides the day-to-day strategy of the party in Parliament.
Meanwhile, the AICC headquarters is getting ready for the formal taking over of the party's presidentship by Rahul. A huge pandal has been erected in the lawns of the party office, where a formal function will be held to hand over to Rahul a certificate of election as Congress president. Senior party leaders, including Sonia, chief ministers of Congress-ruled states, PCC presidents, MPs and MLAs will be present on the occasion. Thousands of Congress workers are expected to descend on the 24, Akbar Road party office.
There is a lot of interest in what Rahul would say in his acceptance speech since he would be outlining his plan of action for the Congress and would give an indication as to what his ideas are for reviving the sagging fortunes of the party.
