Published 11:13 IST, July 6th 2019
Captain Amarinder Singh takes stand over Rahul Gandhi's successor as Congress president; Punjab CM bats for a young leader
Despite Rahul Gandhi posting his four-page resignation letter as the party president on social media, most senior Congress leaders have continued to back him on as party chief. However, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh is supporting a young leader to replace Gandhi.
Despite Rahul Gandhi posting his four-page resignation letter as the party president on social media, most senior Congress leaders have continued to back him on as party chief. However, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh is supporting a young leader to replace Gandhi.
He is advocating that the party be lead by a young leader and urged the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to find generation next leader as Gandhi's successor. He has said that, "Rahul had shown the way for youth leadership to take the party’s reins and steer it to greater heights," said the Chief Minister, adding that "... With India leading the world in terms of the largest youth population, it was natural that a young leader would understand and relate to the desires and aspirations of the people more effectively. Any change in the party leadership must reflect India’s societal reality, with 65% of its population under 35."
Captain Amarinder also said Rahul’s decision to stand by his move to resign "was a major disappointment and setback for the party, from which it could recover only under the dynamic leadership of another young leader". The Chief Minister said that Congress could be revived only by a youth leader and such a leader could make the party "India's preferred and only choice."
"The youth leader, with a forward-looking approach, can connect better with India's large majority of young population infuse a dose of fresh thinking, desperately needed to pull the nation back from the regressive and divisive policies of the ruling BJP", he added.
After days of drama where party leaders protested against Gandhi's resignation by passing resolutions saying they believed in his capacity to lead them, the Congress chief's resignation came as a blow to the party. Now, as per sources, there are factions in the party based on whom they support to be their next president. Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are inclined to have a family loyalist such as Sushil Kumar Shinde and Ashok Gehlot as party president. Whereas young guns in the party want young blood such as Sachin Pilot to lead them.
Updated 16:17 IST, July 6th 2019