After poll debacle Congress wants Priyanka Gandhi at helm of affairs

After the rout of the Congress in the general elections, elements in the party have expressed the view that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should emerge as the new face of the party, if it has to be salvaged.

Congress party leader KV Thomas said that Priyanka has inherited the charismatic charm of her grandmother, the late prime minister, Indira Gandhi.

"Even before the elections, I have been suggesting that Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, how to work as a single team. Priyanka, when we look at her we see Indira Gandhi, our great leader," Thomas said

Congress spokesperson, Shakeel Ahmad, said that the Congress will welcome the decision taken by Priyanka.

"Due to her personal reasons, Priyanka has kept herself limited to only Amethi and Rae Barely constituencies. The day she decides to increase her political career and sphere apart from these two places, all Congress leaders will welcome her decision. But the decision to do so has to be taken by Priyanka Gandhi," Ahmad said.

The BJP-led NDA secured an absolute majority in elections for the 16th Lok Sabha by claiming 337 seats. Of these, the BJP won in 283 seats. In contrast, the ruling UPA could manage to win only 58 seats. Of these, the Congress won 43, its worst electoral performance since 1977.

The Lok Sabha elections result was the largest anti-incumbency vote in India's history. It was driven by a desire for change and anger against corruption and the sluggish economy fanned directly or indirectly by the Congress-led UPA regime, which was in power for a decade.