CWC slated to extend Sonia tenure as party chief

The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision making body of the Congress party, will meet on Tuesday. It is likely to extend Sonia Gandhi’s tenure as party president.

The party has also decided to celebrate the “victory” in getting the government to retreat on the land acquisition legislation change. The Congress had led opposition to the Bill.

The CWC is likely to mark this as a major victory and preparations for a big “victory” rally near the Delhi-Haryana border on September 20 could also be discussed.   

Apart from discussing the political situation, other issues likely to be taken up include changes in the party constitution. Among these would be to consider dual membership, where a member of its student or youth wings or the Seva Dal would be considered a party member, too. And, raising the reservation for women and scheduled castes.

The Bihar election will also figure in the discussion.

The party officially says an extension of tenure for Sonia Gandhi as president is routine, as it had extended the time-frame for the party's organisational elections. That apart, party insiders disclose that it was felt this was not the time for Vice-President Rahul Gandhi’s taking the mantle, at a juncture where several states are to soon go to the polls. Leaders of opposition parties are more comfortable dealing with Sonia Gandhi than her son, it was felt.

Also, the party did not want Rahul Gandhi to be held responsible for the outcome of the coming state elections.

A source said the party was keen to usher in dual membership at the behest of Rahul Gandhi. Then, promising members of the frontal organisations would be eligible to become members of the All India Congress Committee. Rahul Gandhi was general secretary in charge of the student and youth wings.

That Rahul Gandhi is calling the shots, said an insider, is evident from the fact that he is chairing a meeting of legislature party heads of states where the party is in opposition, a day ahead of the CWC meet. Sources say Gandhi is keen to discuss strategy on how to strengthen the party in these states. At present, the Congress is in power in nine of the 29 states.