On the day Mallikarjun Kharge took charge as Congress President on Wednesday, Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said that efforts continued till the last minute to make Rahul Gandhi as the president of the grand old party since he is the only one who can challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP government.
Speaking to media persons here in the national capital, Gehlot said, “The leadership that Sonia Gandhi ji led for 22 years will always be remembered. We all had requested her in 1998 to take over as the party president otherwise the party will be shattered. She took the challenge in the interest of the Congress party despite having language issues. After that, she was Congress President for 22 years and the governments were formed in 13 states at that time. She performed very well as a party chief that which no one can forget.” He further said that it was Rahul Gandhi’s desire that for once a non-Gandhi should become the President of the party.
“It was Rahul Gandhi’s desire that for once a non-Gandhi should become the President of the party. However, till the last minute, efforts were made to make Rahul Gandhi the party president as only he can challenge Modi and the government,” said Gehlot. The Rajasthan chief minister also congratulated Mallikarjun Kharge and promised to will work to strengthen the party. “Today is a new beginning. We congratulate Mallikarjun Kharge Ji and will work to strengthen the party,” Gehlot said.
