This Article is From Sep 03, 2015

Not Just Yet: Rahul Gandhi's Promotion Delayed, Say Sources

Not Just Yet: Rahul Gandhi's Promotion Delayed, Say Sources

Rahul Gandhi became the Congress Vice President in 2013

New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi has been told often by his party that the top job is his, whenever he wants it. But sources within the Congress say that opinion has shifted from earlier this year, when, on record, top leaders had said that the 45-year-old would in months replace his mother, Sonia Gandhi, as party president.

Instead, Congress leaders say, Mr Gandhi is devoting his attention to revitalising the party after its big crash in last year's national election.

The top decision-making body of the Congress, its Working Committee, is expected to meet on Tuesday. As part of an agenda to self-reform, it's likely to reduce the tenure of its chief from five to three years. Mrs Gandhi, 68 has been top boss since 1998 - she is now the longest serving chief of the party; elections for the party's main posts have to be held by the end of December, a requirement of the Election Commission.

Mr Gandhi was appointed Vice President in 2013. After a much-slammed lengthy disappearance during the budget session of Parliament, he returned to join his mother in a forceful campaign against the land reforms proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which culminated in the government abandoning the proposal. States have now been asked to pass their own laws on how to help industry acquire farmland.

In the monsoon session of Parliament, Mr Gandhi made good on a pledge that the Congress would not end disruptions unless the PM sacks three senior colleagues including Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj for alleged corruption. The daily chaos enforced repeated adjournments, forcing delays for crucial legislation like the Goods and Services Tax, considered the biggest tax reform ever for India.

Party sources say that despite the new vigor he has exhibited, Mr Gandhi's elevation to President is unlikely before the Bihar election, the dates of which have yet to be announced.
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