The Gandhi family has recently been criticized for its handling of the crisis in Punjab. (file)
New Delhi:
The Congress’s apex body will meet on October 16 to discuss the new chief, the “current political situation” and next year’s state elections.
“The Congress Working Committee (CWC) will meet on Saturday, October 16 at 10 am,” a statement said.
a meeting of @INCIndia The Working Committee to discuss the current political situation, upcoming assembly elections and organizational elections will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 10.00 AM at AICC Office, 24, Akbar Road, New Delhi.
— KC Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) October 9, 2021
On the agenda would be the country’s “current political situation”, “upcoming assembly elections”, and organizational elections, it further read.
Last month, when the party faced turmoil in Punjab amid a change of leadership—after Amarinder Singh was replaced by the state’s first Dalit chief minister, Charanjit Channi, one of Punjab’s tallest leaders—spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters. was told that a meeting of the CWC was expected soon.
This came as veteran leader Kapil Sibal penned a new letter to the Gandhi family: “The Congress no longer has an elected president. Who is calling? We don’t know who is taking decisions in the party.”
“We are G-23, definitely not Ji Huzoor-23. We will continue to raise issues,” Mr. Sibal said without naming the Gandhi family, punching them.
Hours later, party workers protested outside his house with placards “Get well soon”, threw tomatoes and damaged his car.
The demonstrations were criticized by leaders of the “G-23”, or group of 23 party dissidents, who last year sent a letter to Sonia Gandhi demanding sweeping changes in the party. Since then, various leaders have reminded the Gandhi family that nothing has changed on the ground and the decline of the Congress continues.
Elections are due next year in five states, including Punjab – which has seen tremendous political crisis – and Uttar Pradesh.
The Gandhi family is continuously attacking the BJP in UP where Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is in charge. This week, Rahul Gandhi and sister Priyanka’s visit to the families of those killed in UP’s Lakhimpur district preceded Ms Gandhi Vadra’s arrest, which she described as “illegal”.
On Friday, election strategist Prashant Kishor’s tweet on “deep-rooted” problems in the Congress, his months-long visit to the Gandhi family sparked speculation of his joining the party, also starting a fresh debate about the party’s revival.
“Those looking for a quick, spontaneous revival of the GOP-led opposition on the basis of the Lakhimpur Kheri incident are setting themselves up for a major disappointment. Unfortunately there is no quick solution to the GOP’s deep-rooted and structural weakness, Mr. Kishor had said in his tweet – on which there were strong reactions from the party leaders.
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