Bhubaneswar: Several Odisha Congress leaders welcomed the assertion of Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi at Saturday’s CWC meet in Delhi and demanded that Rahul Gandhi take up the mantle at the appropriate time.
In the current state of things, the rein of All-India Congress Committe must rest with the Gandhi family which alone can integrate the party and guide the partymen across the country, said Odisha Pradesh Congress president Niranjan Patnaik on Sunday.
“Gandhi family is the only hope for the party that can unite the fissiparous elements and provide a stable leadership. Several leaders have again requested Rahul to assume the party reins and save it from disintegration. All criticism against the leadership must stay within the party premises and none should go to the media to discuss issues. Rajiv has raised several pertinent questions affecting the country,” said Patnaik.
Meanwhile, Congress leader and party whip in the Assembly Tara Prasad Bahinipati said Rahul Gandhi is a right candidate to take up the Prime Ministerial post. “There are several leaders in the Congress Party but none can match the sacrifices made by the Congress family. Congress will survive as long as the Gandhi family exists in the country. The family has sacrificed everything right from Motilal Nehru days. People have accepted Rahul’s leadership. He is the right prime ministerial candidate today,” Bahinipati asserted.
The reactions followed Sonia Gandhi’s assertion at Saturday’s CWC meet that she was “a full-time and hands-on Congress president” and that she “always appreciated frankness” and “there is no need to speak to the leadership through the media”.
