Congress declares dates for internal poll

AICC session in April postponed

The Congress' much awaited organizational overhauling is slated to kick off with the party's Organizational polls being conducted from July. The Congress President will have to be elected by September, as per a schedule released by AICC today. There has been considerable speculation about party Vice President Rahul Gandhi taking over the mantle of the party from his mother Sonia Gandhi but the AICC session that was due to held next month (April), where it was believed that Gandhi would take charge, has been postponed in the absence of Rahul Gandhi.

It now appears that if at all, Gandhi was to be made Congress president that would take place in the normal course through the process of elections, which usually go uncontested. This would coincide with the election of AICC members and PCC Presidents.

Thereafter the AICC would be empowered to elect the Congress Working Committee CWC the highest decision making body of the party at the Congress plenary that would be held subsequently.

Incidentally, the party had sent out detailed questionnaire to state units to give their feedback on plans for revival of the party, but till date not more than a dozen have sent in their responses.

Rahul Gandhi's sudden decision to go a a sabbatical right at the beginning of the Budget session where the crucial Land bill was being taken up, had raised eyebrows from all quarters. While the party has been defending his right to go on leave, his mother has taken up centre stage rallying the Opposition together in its protests on the Land bill; a cause that Rahul Gandhi had espoused. Through her public marches she has managed to enthuse the beleaguered party cadre thereby giving rise to speculation over whether Sonia Gandhi would give up the reins just yet.