Rahul remains 'top leader' in Cong, large section always felt he should return as chief: Khurshid

A large section within the Congress has always felt that Rahul Gandhi must come back as party chief and he remains the "top leader" in the party, senior leader Salman Khurshid said on Saturday, asserting that Gandhi should be allowed to make his decision at a time of his choice.

In an interview to PTI, Khurshid also asserted that the Congress was going through a "transitional process", but there was no leadership crisis plaguing the party as Sonia Gandhi was there at the helm.

His remarks assume significance as they come after voices emerged from several quarters within the Congress on the leadership issue with many leaders, including Shashi Tharoor and Sandeep Dikshit, demanding that the matter be finally laid to rest.

Tharoor on Thursday had urged the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to hold leadership elections to "energise workers and inspire voters".

Asked about Dikshit and Tharoor's views, Khurshid said, "We have had elections in the past. We have also had people say that elections are not necessarily the best thing. There are two points of view. When we get to that point, we will cross the bridge."
Asked if Rahul Gandhi was best suited to lead the Congress, Khurshid said, "We have all said this. It is now written in stone, it is clear. But if we accept him as our leader, let us give him the choice of decision making and the timing. Why do we want to impose (our views) on him."