Congress's G-23 leaders to meet Sonia Gandhi: Details here
Congress's interim president Sonia Gandhi and her son, former party chief Rahul Gandhi, are reportedly likely to meet the party's G-23 leaders—a group of change-seekers—over the weekend to resolve its leadership crisis. The leadership wants to settle internal conflicts, which is why Sonia and Rahul reached out to G-23 leaders, reported Deccan Herald. Senior Congress leaders—like Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot—are mediating between both sides.
Why does this story matter?
The news about a meeting between senior Congress leaders and dissenters comes days after the party lost power in Punjab and also faced a humiliating defeat in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur in the recently concluded Assembly elections. Following the poll debacle, the Congress leadership has come under fresh pressure, especially from the G-23 leaders, for an organizational overhaul in the party's structure.
Congress high command's outreach strategy
As part of their outreach efforts, Sonia reportedly met G-23 leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday, while Rahul met ex-Haryana CM Bhupinder Hooda on Thursday. Rahul also had a telephonic call with Hooda, who is becoming increasingly worried about the party's Haryana unit. Moreover, the meeting between Sonia and Azad—one of the most prominent G-23 leaders—came after they spoke over the phone on Wednesday.
Gandhi family loyalists demand action against Kapil Sibal
Meanwhile, there have been calls by a section of Gandhi family loyalists for action against G-23 leader Kapil Sibal who recently said the Gandhis should step aside to allow someone else to take over the party reins. However, Hooda had reportedly clarified to Rahul such steps against the Gandhis won't be acceptable to G-23 leaders and that Sibal was only speaking about strengthening Congress.
Sonia Gandhi recently convened PSG, CWC meetings
After the crushing electoral defeat last week, Sonia chaired a Congress parliamentary strategy group meeting on Sunday (March 13) to discuss the party's setback. She had also convened a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting Sunday. Both meetings discussed the party's poll performance and future plans in other states. However, some top leaders—including former PM Manmohan Singh and ex-Defence Minister AK Antony—skipped the CWC meeting.
Shocking Assembly election results
The results of the recent Assembly elections in five states shocked Congress as it was routed in every state. The party had hoped to do well in order to resurrect its prospects for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. It was also hopeful of fending off the emerging challenge from AAP and TMC to replace Congress as the fulcrum of anti-BJP politics in the country.
