RaGa next INC Chairman?

New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi’s sudden sabbatical to reflect upon the future course of the party may be a prelude to his elevation as Congress President. 

There are indications that Gandhi, who is currently the Vice President, could be made the party chief later this year as the tenure of Congress President Sonia Gandhi comes to an end in September. 

The Congress vice president reportedly held consultations with a cross section of leaders, who endorsed his takeover of the 130-year-old party.

While it is not clear whether the elevation could happen at the AICC session itself, which is expected to be held in the first week of April, top party sources do not discount the possibility of the Congress Vice President taking over as the party chief finally this year. 

Sonia Gandhi has been the longest-serving Congress President since 1998, when she took over the reins of the party from Sitaram Kesri. 

While Congress under her leadership lost to BJP-led NDA in 1999 general elections, it catapulted to power in 2004 forming an umbrella coalition of UPA. 

Rahul Gandhi was elevated from the post of General Secretary to Vice President in a Chintan Shivir in Jaipur in January 2013. He was made the virtual face of the Congress in 2014 Lok Sabha polls by being anointed chief of the campaign committee. 

Despite defeats before and after he became party Vice President, Gandhi is considered the natural choice because he belongs to the party’s first family.

(With inputs from PTI)