Rahul Gandhi likely to take over as Congress President, say sources

'Rahul Gandhi's elevation as Congress President' has been a topic of debate since long and it seems soon there will be an end to it. According to sources, Rahul has agreed to take over as the Congress President, saying the decision has to be taken by the party. Meanwhile, as speculation raged over the issue, Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh said on Wednesday that time is right for Rahul Gandhi to take over from his mother as Congress President. He also favoured Priyanka’s entry into active politics.

“Sonia Gandhi is a brilliant leader. I have said that she has been working (as Congress President) for the last 20 years. If she feels that time has come to give it to a new generation, then she should pass it on and we will fully support Rahul (to take over),” he said.

He was replying to a question whether time has come for Congress Vice-President to take over from Sonia Gandhi. Singh said, “Look, she has not talked to me (on the issue). But what we are coming to know is that she is now feeling that the time has come for a new generation (to take over), which everyone today is saying.

“We are also saying so that 70 per cent of India’s population is under the age of 40 years. She also knows this, may be she feels she would like to hand it over to the new generation. I think there is nothing wrong in it.”

Asked if Rahul could take over this month itself, Amarinder said, “look, I do not know this. If  Sonia wants to hand it over to Rahul ji, I think everybody will support”.

(With inputs from PTI)