The meeting of the Congress Working Committee for the coronation of the new party president will take place on Friday. It is being indicated that Rahul Gandhi will give his consent to becoming the party chief this time. With this, the election process will also be completed. If considered, the Working Committee will also give the go-ahead to the election programme decided by the Central Election Authority.
After the meeting, the date of the convention will also be fixed. If Rahul wants to become president like his mother, Sonia Gandhi, then the schedule of the election of the president will be announced. But so far it is certain that Rahul will make the election of the Working Committee. The entire election process is expected to be completed by 15 February.
Party leaders have demanded that the Central Election Committee hold elections, but it will be decided by the Working Committee on 22 January. The Central Election Authority has made a schedule for the election of the Chairman and the Working Committee.
Rahul had resigned from the post of party president after the Congress’ defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, after which Sonia Gandhi had taken over the reins of the party as the interim president. Sonia Gandhi had indicated that the party would get a new president in 2020.
Twenty-three party leaders had also highlighted the ongoing tussle in the party by calling for early elections. After this, Sonia Gandhi had held a meeting with some leaders of the party and discussed the election of the president, indicating that the party will decide on a president soon.
Meanwhile, the election committee formed by Sonia has completed its report and the Working Committee will give consent to the programme of the Election Authority on 22 January. There are indications that the process of the party elections will start next week.
By 15 February, all states will send a resolution in support of Rahul. Voting will take place if a name other than Rahul comes up. After the withdrawal of the name, Rahul will be declared the president. After this, the party will have a session in the first week of February or March, where the name of the new president will be stamped on.
Jaipur and Delhi are being considered as the venue for the session. Rahul Gandhi had taken over as the vice president in Jaipur. If there are no problems, he will be able to complete the process of becoming party president again in Jaipur.