Rahul keeps Cong guessing; yet to decide on accepting post

New Delhi, Nov 8: With Rahul Gandhi's elevation up the party hierarchy imminent, the ball rests in Rahul's court with the decision yet to be taken if he will take on the plump post of Congress Working President. With the chorus supporting Rahul getting louder with every passing day, Rahul is playing the wait game and keeping everyone guessing.

Having turned down the post earlier, party workers are eagerly hoping that he would not do the same his time around. He had rejected the role of working president or vice-president when offered earlier.

Rahul's rise to the top ranks became prominent after his mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi travelled abroad for an emergency surgery for an undisclosed illness in the first week of Aug. It was then rumoured that Rahul will take over the helm of affairs as Working President and head of the four-member committee. This committee was entrusted to handle the affairs of the party in her absence.

A senior party official has been quoted as saying, "He had said no then. So, when he will agree depends entirely on him." But the fact remains that the core committee that met in Sonia's absence gathered at Rahul"s Tughlak Lane residence shows his increasing clout within the party.

The high-profile committee comprised of Defence Minister AK Antony, Sonia's political secretary, Ahmed Patel, and general secretaries Janardan Dwivedi and Rahul Gandhi.

It has also been reported that PM Manmohan Singh had pressurized Rahul Gandhi to join the Union Cabinet “at least three times", revealed party sources, but he had refused the offer.

With the post awaiting Rahul Gandhi's nod, will he be an apt candidate who has the capability to take Congress to new heights remains to be seen. With Sonia largely successful in reining in the differences with in the party and taking it forward, if Rahul will do the same still needs to be ascertained.

OneIndia News