Shiv Sena bats for Rahul's return as Congress chief; Raut says 'extinction' otherwise

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has come out in support of Rahul Gandhi and said stopping him from taking over leership of Congress will le to "extinction" of grand old party.

In his weekly column Rokhthok in Sena mouthpiece Saamana, Raut also said Congress lacks a leer who can stand up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with full might. Referring to letter by 23 Congress leers to Sonia Gandhi on having a "full time" leership that is active in field and "visible" in party offices, Raut wondered who is stopping se leers from being active.

"Activeness to stop Rahul Gandhi will be instrumental in destroying party and le to its extinction," Raut said. Having a n-Gandhi as Congress president is a good idea, but one in those 23 has that capability, said Raut whose party, along with Congress and NCP, is a constituent of ruling Maha Vikas Aghi alliance in Maharashtra.

Referring to regional parties floated by former Congress leers, Raut said, " Congress still exists across India but with different masks. If se masks are thrown away, it can emerge as a prominent political party." He said Congress veteran late V N Ggil described Congress as an old woman who will never die. "Rahul Gandhi has to decide what to do with old ly," Raut ded.

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Drama in CWC

Twenty-three leers h written to Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi emphasising need for active revival of party. As CWC meeting began on 24 August, sources reported that Sonia Gandhi offered to step down, whereas Rahul Gandhi expressed his displeasure at dissenting letter. An all-out war broke out between Ghulam Nabi Az, Kapil Sibal, and Rahul after latter said that dissenters were 'in cahoots with BJP', which prompted Sibal to lash out on Twitter and Az to offer to resign. 

temporary end to day-long drama came with Sonia Gandhi continuing to be 'interim' chief of grand-old party, till fresh elections are held by AICC in next six months. A 5-point resolution waxing lyrical about Sonia and Rahul was issued. 

Several Congress leers have demanded return of Rahul Gandhi as party chief, a post Wayan MP gave up following party's drubbing in 2019 general elections. He has repeatedly refused to return as president but many observe that Rahul calls shots in key party decisions and holds de facto authority over grand old party.

(With PTI Inputs)

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