Sonia Gandhi Named Congress Interim President

New Delhi: Sonia Gandhi was named the interim president of Congress party at Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting here on Friday.

Party leader and CWC member Ghulam Nabi Azad announced her name following a day-long deliberation. Media reports suggested the CWC made a last-ditch effort to persuade Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his resignation, but he remained adamant.

Rahul had emerged from the meeting late in the evening to announce that CWC also held a discussion on the prevailing situation in Kashmir. He also claimed that there are reports of unrest and violence in the valley and that the Prime Minister should make a statement on the issue.

Earlier in the day, both Sonia and Rahul had recused themselves from the meeting, maintaining that they cannot be part of the consultation process as they had been past presidents of the party.

Reports suggested that the CWC arrived at the decision on Sonia after discussing reports of five groups, formed earlier in the day, and after scrutinising the names of Rahul Gandhi’s potential successor.

Sonia will continue in the post till the new president is chosen.