Capt bats for ‘charismatic Gen Next leader’ to replace Rahul

Sunday, 07/07/2019

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CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has suggested that “another dynamic youth leader” should take over from Rahul Gandhi as the Congress president.

In a tweet on Saturday morning, Amarinder asked the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decisionmaking body of the party, to take note of “young India’s need for a young leader” with “grassroots connect”.

“After unfortunate decision of @RahulGandhi to quit, hope to see another dynamic youth leader as @INCIndia president to galvanise party. Urge CWC to take note of young India’s need for a young leader, aligned to aspirations of its large youth population & with grassroots connect,” tweeted Amarinder.

Pointing to the large and growing youth population in the country, Amarinder, in a statement, urged the CWC to look for Rahul’s replacement in a charismatic Gen Next leader. “Rahul had shown the way for youth leadership to take the party’s reins and steer it to greater heights. With India leading the world in terms of the largest youth population, it was natural that a young leader would understand and relate to the desires and aspirations of the people more effectively. Any change in the party leadership must reflect India’s societal reality, with 65% of its population under 35,” said Amarinder.

Under the guidance of experienced party veterans, a young leader, with a visionary approach and modern outlook, would pave the way for the birth of a new India – more vibrant, dynamic and progressive, said the CM, adding that it was time for the old to give way to the new, without which the Congress could not effectively tackle the challenges faced today.

His comment comes at a time when names of several senior Congress leaders are doing the rounds as possible replacement for Rahul who has resigned as the party president.

The CWC will have to first accept Rahul’s resignation before the process to appoint his successor begins, a Congress functionary had said on Wednesday, the day Rahul ruled out being part of the process in a four-page farewell note.

“The general secretary in charge of the organisation will first call a meeting of the CWC. If the CWC accepts his resignation, then an interim president will be appointed to supervise the election of the new chief,” the functionary said.

Rahul had told the May 25 meeting of the CWC that it was not necessary for the party to be led by members from the Nehru-Gandhi family and in his farewell note released on July 3, he said it was “important for someone new to lead our party” and that he would not select that person.

Amarinder was one of the party’s five chief ministers who had failed to persuade Rahul to reconsider his decision during their nearly two-hour meeting with him on July 1. Rahul had resigned at the CWC meeting on May 25 after party’s poor show in the national polls. He has also reported to have slammed the veterans for “placing the interests” of their sons above the party.