Resolution to appoint Rahul Gandhi as Congress national president adopted by Chhattisgarh Congress

Raipur: According to Congress leaders, the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) on Sunday approved a resolution designating Rahul Gandhi as the party's national president.

According to the head of the state's Congress communication wing, Sushil Anand Shukla, the resolution was approved at a meeting of 310 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates from Chhattisgarh who will vote in the party's presidential election. The meeting was presided over by Hussain Dalwai.

In June this year, the CPCC passed a similar resolution that Rahul Gandhi should become the party president.

Congress had last month said the election for its president would be held on October 17.

The result will be declared on October 19.

If only one candidate is left in the fray after the withdrawal of nominations, the name of the president will be declared on October 8 itself, the party said.

Congress last saw a contest for the post in November 2000.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appointed Dalwai as the election officer for the Chhattisgarh unit.

Chhattisgarh Congress president Mohan Markam, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, AICC general secretary P L Punia, and state ministers were present in the meeting held at Rajiv Bhawan, the ruling party's state office.

Talking to reporters, CM Baghel said he had moved the resolution for appointing Rahul Gandhi as the party's president, which was seconded by PCC chief Mohan Markam, state Assembly Speaker Charan Das Mahant, ministers TS Singh Deo, Shivkumar Dahariya and Premsai Singh Tekam.

To a query, Baghel said, "The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee today passed the resolution (to make Rahul Gandhi president) and the party's Rajasthan unit has also done this. If similar resolutions are passed in other states, then Rahul Ji should rethink it as the party's presidential election is nearing. Keeping in view the sentiments of all party workers, I think Rahul Ji will agree (to become party chief)," he said.

Baghel said he and others also seconded another resolution moved by the PCC chief to authorise the Congress president to appoint the party's state chief and other office-bearers.

Both the resolutions were passed in the meeting, he added.

PTI inputs