Rahul gave his all, toiled night and day for Congress: Sonia

Sonia noted that the Congress numbers in the Rajya Sabha will be challenged

Sonia CPP Cong Twitter Sonia Gandhi addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party | Twitter handle of Congress

After being re-elected leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday heaped lavish praise on her son Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his leadership and his campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections. Sonia noted that as party chief, Rahul toiled night and day and took the Narendra Modi government head-on.

Sonia's praise assumes significance in the backdrop of uncertainty about Rahul's decision to step down as Congress president in the wake of his party's disastrous performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

Sonia, who was addressing the meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party held in the Central Hall of Parliament, said she wanted to thank Rahul for his “valiant and relentless” campaign.

“As Congress president, he has given his all and toiled night and day for the Congress party. He demonstrated his fearless leadership, by taking the Modi government head-on. He highlighted the injustices carried out against farmers, workers, traders and small businesses, against the youth, women and the marginalised sections of our society,” she said.

Sonia credited Rahul with having rejuvenated the Congress organisation in many states, and pointed out that most recently, he led the party to victory in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

“As Congress president, he earned the respect and love of every worker and crores of voters across the length and breadth of our country,” Sonia said.

And as Rahul is learnt to be insisting on stepping down as party chief, she made an apparent reference to the appeals being made to him to reconsider his decision. “Even as I speak, emotional messages are coming from all corners, vindicating his leadership. We all express our gratitude to him for his sincerity of purpose, his relentless effort, his hard work and leadership,” Sonia said.

Sonia was re-elected chairperson of the CPP, a post she has held since 2004. Her name as the CPP chief was proposed by former prime minister Manmohan Singh and was unanimously endorsed by all the party MPs. There is speculation on whether Rahul will be nominated as the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha. The CPP chairperson nominates leaders for the Congress contingents in both houses of Parliament.

Referring to the party's challenges in Parliament, Sonia said, “Even though we were only 44 members in the previous Lok Sabha, and about 55 in the Rajya Sabha, under Rahulji’s leadership, the Congress party has fought bravely to expose the government’s misdeeds... This time too, we will support progressive and inclusive policies, but oppose the government strongly whenever they undertake divisive and regressive actions.”

Noting that the Congress numbers in the Rajya Sabha will be challenged, she said it was now even more important to ensure better coordination and cooperation with like-minded parties. “To be an effective opposition, all of us members of Parliament must have our finger on the pulse of the people, set the agenda in Parliament, ensure consistency and relentless follow-up of issues that matter, including the standing committees and other parliamentary forums,” Sonia said.

Laying down the agenda for the Congress, Sonia said it will hold the government accountable in Parliament, and it will be at the forefront of the fight for the rights of the people, both in Parliament and on the streets.

Referring to the electoral debacle, Sonia said the party was up against an election machinery with all odds stacked against it, which included “unlimited resources, ability to manipulate public opinion and the spread of mischievous propaganda.”