Will he, won’t he? Congress in a fix over Rahul Gandhi’s resignation

Party considers appointing working president, even as allies try to dissuade Rahul from quitting

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday remained unmoved on his decision to resign from the post of party president. Rahul has asked the party leadership to replace him with a leader from a non-Gandhi family. Rahul had announced his decision to quit at the Congress Working Comm­ittee meeting on Saturday. Congress leaders have been hopeful that they can persuade Rahul to relent since he is yet to send a written resignation to the CWC. His Twitter bio also continues to state that he is the president of the Congress.

Several party leaders believe Rahul, by persisting with his decision, was becoming instrumental in further shrinking his as well as the Congress’ political capital, or whatever is left of it. Leaders of the Congress’ allies — like Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad — have said Rahul quitting as party chief would be “suicidal” for his party.

As for the several alternatives discussed within the party, including putting in place a praesidium of half a dozen leaders to run the party’s daily affairs or appointing a working president, party leaders have pointed out the Congress constitution would need an amendment for this. The only previous instance of the party getting a working president was when Kamalapati Tripathi, divested of his Railway portfolio, was appointed the working president.

Leaders have suggested that if Rahul quits, so should the rest of the CWC. A new president and CWC should be elected at a Congress plenary. On Tuesday, Rahul met Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his deputy Sachin Pilot, separately. Party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was present during the meetings. ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi insists on resigning, Congress considers panel to run party

The Congress is facing a minor crisis in Rajasthan with some party leaders blaming the party’s defeat in the state on the decision to appoint Gehlot and not Pilot as chief minister. Rahul is upset with Gehlot for campaigning for his son at the expense of the party.