After Rahul Gandhi, who will be the next Congress President?
What's the story
Since Rahul Gandhi resigned as Congress President, leaders of the party have been boiling the ocean, trying to get him to stay.
However, the 49-year-old remained adamant, and on Wednesday, Gandhi maintained that he wouldn't continue as Congress President. Further, he asked the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to decide on his successor.
Here are the people likely to succeed the Gandhi scion.
Details
Sushil Kumar Shinde, Mallikarjun Kharge speculated to succeed Gandhi
Speculations are rife that the Congress party may choose either Sushil Kumar Shinde or Mallikarjun Kharge.
Shinde (77), a Gandhi family loyalist, has served as Union Home Minister from 2012-14, and is also a former Maharashtra Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Kharge was appointed the leader of Congress in the previous Lok Sabha, and despite his loss in recent general elections, remains influential.
Other candidates
Here are some other likely candidates for the post
According to Firstpost, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Soni and Mukul Wasnik are also being considered, with Azad- Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha- as a frontrunner.
Names of Ashok Gehlot and Janardan Dwivedi have also popped up, however, the reports don't carry much weight.
Earlier, rumors of Motilal Vora being interim president emerged, but he claimed he had no such information.
Information
Gandhi family to make final call on party president: Reports
Separately, sources said that Rahul, along with his mother and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi, and sister Priyanka Gandhi, would make the final call on who should be the next party president. Some reports suggest the Gandhi family has already given a nod to Shinde.
RaGa's resignation
Accountability critical for party's growth, says Gandhi
To recall, Gandhi resigned as Congress President on May 25, two days after the declaration of 2019 Lok Sabha election results.
"Accountability is critical for future growth of our party," he said in a detailed open letter on Wednesday.
Congress had faced an embarrassing defeat in the elections, winning only 52 seats. He even lost from the Amethi seat, a Congress stronghold.
Information
Gandhi even refused to pick his successor
Gandhi also rejected demands that he should pick a successor. "While it is important for someone new to lead our party, it would not be correct for me to select that person," he said, adding he trusts the party to make the best decision.
History
200 Congress functionaries resigned last week to protest RaGa's exit
Earlier, CWC had unanimously rejected Gandhi's resignation. The party vehemently protested the resignation.
Last week, 200 party functionaries also submitted their resignations, and held a dharna at AICC headquarters on Tuesday.
Many argued that only a Gandhi could head the party.
In the past, PV Narasimha Rao and Sitaram Kesri have been the only two to lead the party outside of the Nehru-Gandhi family.