Politics

Sonia Gandhi Hints At Retirement; Will She Contest In 2024 Elections?

By
OB Bureau

Raipur: Sonia Gandhi on Saturday hinted at retirement from politics.

The Congress leader, addressing 15,000 delegates on the second day of the party’s plenary session here, said she was happy that her “innings could conclude” with the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

“What gratifies me most is that my innings could conclude with the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The Yatra has come as a turning point. It has proved that the people of India overwhelmingly want harmony, tolerance and equality. It has renewed the rich legacy of dialogue between our party and the people through mass contact programmes. It has shown us all that the Congress stands with the people and is ready to fight for them,” she said.

“I congratulate all party workers who have worked hard for the Yatra… I especially thank Rahul (Gandhi) ji, whose determination and leadership were crucial in the Yatra’s success,” said Sonia who was party president from 1998 to 2017 and again from 2019 till last year.

The 76-year-old former Congress president left party leaders guessing whether she would contest again from Raebareli in next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

Sonia, who took the plunge in politics a few years after her husband and former PM Rajiv Gandhi was killed by a suicide bomber in 1991, has been the sitting MP from Raebareli from 2004.

There is speculation that Sonia might leave the seat for her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the 2024 elections if she sticks to her decision to quit politics.

But others say she could be persuaded to go for another term as MP.

She herself called the current period a “particularly challenging time” for the Congress and the country.

“Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and the BJP-RSS regime has relentlessly captured and subverted every single institution. It ruthlessly silenced any voice of opposition. It has caused economic ruin by favouring a few chosen businessmen at the expense of all others. And most distressingly, it fuels the fires of fear and hatred against fellow Indians,” she said.

She observed that the situation today reminded her of the time when she entered politics.

“Then, as now, we faced a difficult struggle ahead. And at this crucial time, each one of us bears a special responsibility towards our party and the country,” said Sonia.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Odisha STA Seizes Actress Rani Priyadarshini’s Scooter For Filming Reel Without Helmet

Bhubaneswar: The State Transport Authority (STA) of Odisha has seized the scooter of jatra actress…

November 25, 2024

Three Killed After Google Map Leads Their Vehicle To Unfinished Bridge

Bareilly: Blind trust on technology can be detrimental too. That’s exactly what happened to three…

November 25, 2024

Soon After Parliament’s Winter Session Begins, Rajya Sabha Adjourned Amid Opposition’s Ruckus Over Adani Issue

New Delhi: The Winter Session of Parliament commenced on Monday (Nov 25). But both houses…

November 25, 2024

Bangladeshi Girl ‘Trafficking’ Case In Odisha: Couple Arrested For Forcing Her Into Prostitution

Cuttack: After rescuing a minor Bangladeshi girl, Madhupatna Police in Odisha’s Cuttack city have arrested…

November 25, 2024

2nd Maharashtra Tigress Zeenat Released Into Core Area Of Similipal In Odisha

Baripada: Ten days after being put in a soft enclosure inside Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR)…

November 25, 2024

Odisha GDP Suspends Jonk Police Station IIC For Dereliction Of Duty

Nuapada: Inspector In-Charge (IIC) of Jonk police station in Odisha’s Nuapada district, Gurudev Karmi, has…

November 25, 2024

IPL Auction: KKR Break Bank For Venkatesh On Lucrative Day For Indian Players; Check Top Buys

Mumbai: The first day of the IPL mega player auction at Jeddah threw up several…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Hands Over Case Of Attack On Dharmasala MLA To Crime Branch

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has handed over the investigation into the attack on Dhramasala MLA…

November 24, 2024