Published 22:57 IST, August 24th 2020
CWC meet Live Updates: Congress passes resolution strengthening Gandhis; dissenters huddle
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolved to let Sonia Gandhi continue as chief till elections are held. 23 senior leaders wrote to Gandhi seeking structural changes in the party.
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22:51 IST, August 24th 2020
Sonia Gandhi may appoint VPs: sources
Sonia Gandhi may appoint party vice-presidents report sources, with a small committee to assist her to make appropriate changes.
21:56 IST, August 24th 2020
Senior leaders leave Azad's residence
Delhi: Congress leaders Kapil Sibal, Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari and Mukul Wasnik leave from the residence of Ghulam Nabi Azad. https://t.co/UKK3kBl0GN pic.twitter.com/ZNnTPCOQvJ
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2020
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21:56 IST, August 24th 2020
Chidambaram on CWC meet: 'There is always discontent'
"Those who wrote the letter certainly are as fiercely opposed to the BJP as I am or Mr Rahul Gandhi is. There is always discontent, in fact, it is some discontent which brings about change. Unless there is discontent, change won't happen," said P Chidambaram. He also stated that CWC will call AICC at earliest and elections will be held with nominations made.
He added, "No one made the collusion remark. No question of rahul saying such a thing. Evevryone from those 23 is as opposed to the BJP as earlier. Some concerns were raised, those were addressed."
19:48 IST, August 24th 2020
Punjab CM welcomes resolution
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday welcomed the unanimous resolution passed by the Congress Working Committee (CWC), asking Sonia Gandhi to continue as party president till the next AICC session and authorising her to take whatever decisions needed, including necessary organisational changes that she may deem inappropriate, to tackle any challenge/situation.
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19:44 IST, August 24th 2020
5 Resolutions adopted by CWC
Addressing a press briefing after the 7-hour CWC meeting, Spokespersons KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala. on Monday, shared the 5 resolutions adopted by the committee unanimously. Surjewala said that Congress will strengthen the Gandhis' leadership and not allow anything to undermine the party. When asked if action will be taken on the 23 dissenters, he said that Sonia Gandhi was hurt, but did not hold any grudges against them.
"CWC unanimously have taken note of the two letters written by certain Congress leaders and has extensively deliberated on it," said KC Venugopal.
Resolutions adopted by CWC:
- Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi ensured that Congress-ruled states tackled the pandemic effectively and provided access to healthcare and treatment to all sections of the people, resolutely led the fight against the government from the front.
- The CWC will do everything to strengthen Sonia and Rahul Gandhi's leadership in every possible way. The CWC makes it clear that no one will be or can be permitted to undermine or weaken the party and its leadership at this juncture
- The CWC notes the internal issues cannot be discussed in the media and must be raised in the party forum
- The CWC asks Sonia Gandhi to make any organisational changes she feels necessary as per the suggestions in the letter.
- The CWC has requested Sonia Gandhi to continue as interim-chief till elections are held as soon as AICC meet can be convened.
Sonia Gandhi in her concluding remarks at CWC said,"We are a large family, we have differences on many occasions but in the end, we come together as one. The need of the hour is to fight for the cause of the people and forces that are failing this country," added Surjewala.
19:44 IST, August 24th 2020
Senior leaders who signed dissenting letter convene at Azad's house
After Congress briefing, Kapil Sibal, Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor convene at Ghulam Nabi Azad residence report sources
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19:01 IST, August 24th 2020
PL Punia: 'No need of BJP's certificate
Speaking to media after CWC meet, PL Punia said:
There is freedom to express views but discussion should be held on party forum, not in public domain, members expressed concerns over it. Sonia Gandhi ji said everyone is family & has to strengthen party together: PL Punia, Congress on members' letter over party leadership https://t.co/GuHybZn6tF
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2020
He added, " We don't need any certificate from BJP, they have their own politics. We are doing our own politics"
18:24 IST, August 24th 2020
Sonia & Rahul Gandhi 'hurt'
Sources report that Sonia Gandhi ended the 7-hour long CWC meeting saying,"I am hurt but they are my colleagues. Gone is gone. Now let’s work together". Moreover, Rahul Gandhi too reportedly said I was hurt because at the end of the day I am her son while opining on the dissenting letter which was written while Sonia Gandhi was hospitalised
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18:18 IST, August 24th 2020
Sonia Gandhi to continue as Congress President till AICC elections
Putting another temporary end to the rising tumult in Congress on Monday, interim chief Sonia Gandhi is set to remain at her post till fresh elections are held by AICC in the next six months. Sonia Gandhi took over from Rahul Gandhi as party chief in August 2019, after her son Rahul Gandhi resigned as chief post-Lok Sabha 2019 debacle. She had asked CWC members "to begin deliberations towards the process of transition to relieve her from the duty of party chief", as 23 senior leaders sought 'structural changes' at the party.
17:37 IST, August 24th 2020
Dissenting leaders backtrack, convey 'full faith' in leadership of Sonia and Rahul: Sources
Leaders who wrote to Sonia Gandhi over party leadership allegedly backtracked in the CWC saying, "There were some concerns for the betterment of the organisation, wrote letter to convey those. Have full faith in the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi", according to Sources
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16:48 IST, August 24th 2020
Ambika Soni demands 'strict action' against the 23 signatories to the leaders
Amid the escalating discontent brewing within the Congress party, senior leader Ambika Soni has issued a statement asking the party to take 'a strict action' against the 23 signatories to the dissenting letter which includes senior leaders like Kapil Sabil, Ghulam Nabi Azad and others. Soni has demanded action be taken against the leaders 'irrespective' of their seniority.
16:18 IST, August 24th 2020
Ghulam Nabi Azad clarifies on 'resignation' comments, says Rahul Gandhi never made BJP collusion remark
A section of media is wrongly attributing that, in CWC I told Shri Rahul Gandhi to prove that the letter written by us is in collusion with BJP-“let me make it very clear that Shri Rahul Gandhi has neither in CWC nor outside said that this letter was written at the behest of BJP"
— Ghulam Nabi Azad (@ghulamnazad) August 24, 2020
What I said was, yesterday some Congress person had said that we did it at behest of BJP & in that context I said "It is most unfortunate that some colleagues (outside CWC) have accused us of collusion with BJP, and if those people can prove this allegation, I will resign".
— Ghulam Nabi Azad (@ghulamnazad) August 24, 2020
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15:51 IST, August 24th 2020
Siddaramaiah writes letter to Sonia Gandhi, says Gandhi family can lead party 'to success'
My letter to Smt. Sonia Gandhi urging her to continue as the President of @INCIndia or convince Shri. @RahulGandhi to take up the position.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) August 24, 2020
I am convinced that Gandhi family can lead the party to success. pic.twitter.com/YqSpaMMFVF
15:51 IST, August 24th 2020
Congress is a school where only the headmaster's child tops class, says BJP's Narottam Mishra
Mishra took a jibe at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting and said that the opposition party has several eligible candidates for the post of party chief like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Raihan Vadra and Miraya Vadra.
"There are many eligible candidates in Congress (for the post of party chief) like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Raihan Vadra and Miraya Vadra. Congress members should understand that Congress is like the school where only headmaster's child tops the class," Mishra said.- ANI
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15:29 IST, August 24th 2020
'Farewell to fake Gandhis,' Manoj Tiwari takes a swipe at Congress over implosion
Taking a swipe at the infighting and the dispute that ensued in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Monday, BJP leader Manoj Tiwari stated that this situation is a sort of a farewell to the 'fake Gandhis'.
"Those who ruled the country by claiming the title of Gandhis artificially, those people might have to depart. Many voices have risen in the Congress party against the Gandhis. There are only a handful trying to save the Gandhis," Tiwari said while speaking to Republic TV.
15:01 IST, August 24th 2020
BJP's Uma Bharti takes a jibe at Congress over CWC implosion
"If they do not have people for the post of president, then tell us, we will give them an ordinary worker from our party, it will be better than that," says BJP's Uma Bharti after Congress party implodes in CWC meeting.
#WATCH Gandhi-Nehru family's existence is in crisis, their political dominance is over, Congress is finished.. so who stays in what position hardly matters now... Congress should return to Gandhi, the real 'swadeshi' Gandhi without any foreign element: BJP leader Uma Bharti pic.twitter.com/oZQVVmnl7Q
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2020
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15:01 IST, August 24th 2020
Congress raises slogans outside AICC, says party President should be from Gandhi Family
Delhi: Congress workers raise slogans outside AICC office, demanding that Party President should be from Gandhi family.
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2020
Congress worker Jagdish Sharma says, "We want Party President from Gandhi family only. Party will be destroyed & break away if any outsider is made President." pic.twitter.com/b5HzTptuhJ
15:01 IST, August 24th 2020
Narottam Mishra takes a jibe at Congress, says entire nation watching the 'sinking ship'
"I said that the Congress is a sinking ship and now the country is watching it sink. Rahul Gandhi himself called senior leaders of Congress 'traitors', Ghulam Nabi Azad is ready to resign and resentful of Kapil Sibal is tweeting," he said.
मैंने कहा था कि कांग्रेस डूबता जहाज है और अब देश इसे डूबते हुए देख रहा है। Rahul Gandhi खुद @INCIndia के वरिष्ठ नेताओं को ‘गद्दार’ बता रहे हैं, Ghulam Nabi Azad इस्तीफ़ा देने को तैयार हैं और Kapil Sibal ट्वीटर पर नाराज़गी जता रहे हैं।#CongressPresident
— Dr Narottam Mishra (@drnarottammisra) August 24, 2020
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14:49 IST, August 24th 2020
Kamal Nath refuses to back Rahul, says Sonia Gandhi must remain at the helm of affairs
Responding to the stunning implosion within the CWC meeting following Rahul Gandhi accusing senior party leaders of being 'in cahoots with BJP', former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath refused to back Rahul as the next CWC President, opining that Sonia Gandhi must continue to hold power, as per sources.
14:45 IST, August 24th 2020
CWC Meeting comes to blows, 100 Leaders to quit Congress: Sources
In an explosive development during the all-important Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Monday, former party chief Rahul Gandhi said that the dissenting party members who wrote the letter asking Sonia Gandhi to step down as the interim president are "in cahoots with the BJP," Republic TV sources said.
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14:41 IST, August 24th 2020
Manickam Tagore thanks Kapil Sibal for withdrawing tweet slamming Rahul Gandhi
Thank you Sibal ji ! Hope my friend who said “good journalists “ told will also take it back . https://t.co/ML7diJPWEy
— Manickam Tagore MP🇮🇳✋மாணிக்கம் தாகூர் (@manickamtagore) August 24, 2020
14:16 IST, August 24th 2020
'45 years of Ghulami for this?,' Owaisi takes a jibe at Ghulam Nabi Azad
AIMIM Chief Owaisi tweets in support of Azad says, "Ghulam Nabi sahab you accused me exactly of exactly this. Now you're accused of the same. 45 years of ghulami (slavery) for this? Now it's proven that anyone opposing Janeudhari leadership will be branded B-Team I hope Muslims now know the high cost of loyalty to Congress."
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14:16 IST, August 24th 2020
Ahmed Patel backs Rahul Gandhi as next Congress President: Sources
As the party faces major revolt in the CWC online meeting, with senior leaders hitting out at each other, Ahmed Patel has once again proposed the name of Rahul Gandhi for the CWC President's post.
14:11 IST, August 24th 2020
Rahul's camp says 23 dissenting members “betrayed” Congress by going to the media: Sources
Inside sources from the CWC meeting have revealed that Rahul Gandhi's camp has said that the details of the letter should not have been released to the media. Any discourse between the party members should be discussed in the CWC and not before the media. The RG camp has also alleged that the 23 dissenting members “betrayed” Congress by going to the media, as per sources
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14:05 IST, August 24th 2020
'No one can save a party like this,' Shivraj Singh Chouhan evokes Scindia as an example
#BREAKING | No one can save a party like this; Scindia talked about corruption and they accused him; those who are loyal are called traitor in Congress: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Congress CWC implosion https://t.co/PU8mAQmngy
— Republic (@republic) August 24, 2020
14:03 IST, August 24th 2020
Kapil Sibal withdraws tweet against Rahul Gandhi, says he clarified 'personally'
Was informed by Rahul Gandhi personally that he never said what was attributed to him .
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) August 24, 2020
I therefore withdraw my tweet .
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13:58 IST, August 24th 2020
Divya Spandana backs Rahul Gandhi, hits out at Congress for 'leaking information to the media'
Divya Spandana hits out at Congress leaders, blames them for leaking information to the media. "Not only did they leak the letter to the media, they continue to feed/leak minute to minute conversations of the CWC meeting that's going on right now to the media. Amazing!"
I think Rahul ji made a mistake. He should have said colluding with the BJP & the media. https://t.co/ZmtLe5YzPu
— Divya Spandana/Ramya (@divyaspandana) August 24, 2020
13:58 IST, August 24th 2020
Two Congress leaders said to masterminds behind letter, but not signatories of it: Sources
Top sources inside congress allege that the letter by 23 MLAs was the brainchild of two congress leaders who are not signatories to the letter. The two Congress leaders who have facilitated the dissenting letter have distanced themselves from either camp for now. One of the two leaders is not even present in Delhi. Brains behind the letter pretending to be “neutral”. Fight between the two camps expected to escalate
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13:48 IST, August 24th 2020
Priyanka Gandhi hits out at signatories, says they are 'double-faced'
Priyanka Gandhi has hit out at senior leaders and signatories calling them 'double-faced' as the fight between camps escalates.
#BREAKING | Priyanka Vadra doubles down on Rahul Gandhi's attack against letter signatories; accuses them of having a dual face; Tune in for #LIVE updates on the Congress CWC showdown here - https://t.co/RZHKU3wOei pic.twitter.com/wyRi1N2cqk
— Republic (@republic) August 24, 2020
13:41 IST, August 24th 2020
Surjewala openly denies Sibal's tweet, says 'Rahul Gandhi never said a word of this nature'
In a big statement, Randeep Singh Surjewala snubbed Kapil Sibal on Twitter, claiming that Rahul Gandhi had 'never said a word' on leaders 'colluding with the BJP.' Calling Sibal's tweet 'misinformation,' Surjewala asked people to not be 'misled' by discourse.
Sh. Rahul Gandhi hasn’t said a word of this nature nor alluded to it.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) August 24, 2020
Pl don’t be mislead by false media discourse or misinformation being spread.
But yes, we all need to work together in fighting the draconian Modi rule rather then fighting & hurting each other & the Congress. https://t.co/x6FvPpe7I1
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13:35 IST, August 24th 2020
Four senior Congress leaders log off from meeting over Rahul Gandhi's comments
In a big development, four senior Congress leaders logged-off from the CWC meeting underway, leaving in protest against Rahul Gandhi's comments blaming loyalists over "colluding with the BJP."
13:31 IST, August 24th 2020
Ghulam Nabi Azad asks Rahul to prove his statements, says will 'will resign' if found true
Ghulam Nabi Azad slammed Rahul Gandhi over his claims saying that senior leaders were "colluding with the BJP" asking the latter even offering to resign if Rahul Gandhi's statement turns out to be true.
#BREAKING | Mass resignations likely within Congress after Rahul Gandhi accuses those seeking deliberation within party of being in 'Cahoots With BJP'; Ghulam Nabi Azad offers to resign and Kapil Sibal hits out; Tune in #LIVE here - https://t.co/RZHKU3wOei pic.twitter.com/PCcVmUoreo
— Republic (@republic) August 24, 2020
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13:31 IST, August 24th 2020
Former Congress leader Tom Vadakkan extends support to Azad, says 'never seen anyone more loyal'
#LIVE | Have never seen a person more loyal than Ghulam Nabi Azad; I can tell you that Congress' contribution to nation-building is zero, there are no solutions, they blame BJP for everything: Tom Vadakkan, BJP leader and former Congress spokesperson https://t.co/RZHKU3wOei pic.twitter.com/u56Z1ZDumU
— Republic (@republic) August 24, 2020
13:25 IST, August 24th 2020
CWC Meeting underway, 23 leaders seek 'structural changes'
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) called for a meeting after 23 senior leaders within the Grand old party, wrote to party's interim-Chief Sonia Gandhi raising a 5-Point Agenda to revive the Party. The letter emphasised on the need for active leadership in the party and raised questions about the party's condition and direction, demanding an internal election to the CWC. The five-page letter - drafted by two senior leaders bears the signatures of leaders from the Congress' 'old guard ' and the 'young guard' (i.e Rahul Gandhi supporters). Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kapil Sibal, Manish Tiwari, Anand Sharma, Shashi Tharoor, Jitin Prasad, Veerappa Moily, Pramod Tiwari, PJ Kurien, Sandeep Dikshit, as per sources.
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13:25 IST, August 24th 2020
Senior leader Kapil Sibal claps back at Rahul Gandhi, threatens to resign
Rahul Gandhi says “ we are colluding with BJP “
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) August 24, 2020
Succeeded in Rajasthan High Court defending the Congress Party
Defending party in Manipur to bring down BJP Govt.
Last 30 years have never made a statement in favour of BJP on any issue
Yet “ we are colluding with the BJP “!
13:25 IST, August 24th 2020