Congress president Sonia Gandhi has told her party leaders to communicate to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) members as she is “stepping down” as the party chief.
According to media reports, Sonia Gandhi has taken the decision following a letter written to her by at least 23 party leaders seeking a complete leadership overhaul in the organization.
Sources reportedly said Gandhi wants to have a get-together for finding a new party chief as she does not want to carry out the responsibilities any further.
It has been reported that the letter, which called for a range of reforms, including picking up of leaders at every level through an election, is expected to be discussed at an internal meeting of the party on Monday.
However, sources said Sonia Gandhi can still remain in the top position of the party until a suitable candidate for the post is found.
However, top party leaders like Bhupesh Baghel want Gandhi to continue as the party chief.
“She has asked to communicate to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) members that she doesn’t want to continue and is stepping down,” a media report quoted a source as saying.
The report quoted another source as saying: “The leadership will be further discussed at the CWC meeting.”
The chief spokesperson of the party, Randeep Surjewala, however, denied any official communication about the leadership change.
“Mrs. Gandhi hasn’t given any such quote or interview to anyone about a leadership change,” Surjewala told media persons outside the Congress office on Sunday.
Reports said several party leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kapil Sibal have initiated in drafting the letter.