Rahul Gandhi will address farmer rally on April 19: Congress

The party’s announcement came even as top leaders continued to speak in different voices about Rahul’s elevation as party president.

Putting to rest speculation about Rahul Gandhi’s return from his sabbatical, the Congress on Monday said its vice-president will address the farmer rally on April 19 to protest against the BJP government’s decision to “dilute” the land acquisition act.

The party’s announcement came even as top leaders continued to speak in different voices about Rahul’s elevation as party president.

“Rahul Gandhi will address the rally,” Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh said after a meeting of top leaders to review the preparations for the rally, including mobilisation of workers. Sources said Rahul is expected to be back in Delhi early next week. “He could return anytime after April 12,” a senior leader said.

Close on the heels of former Lok Sabha MP Sandeep Dikshit’s remarks that Sonia Gandhi is the leader for 99 per cent of the party men and that she was needed at the helm now more than ever, senior Congress general secretary Ambika Soni said Monday that the Congress needs Sonia as the president. “There is no question of having one at the cost of the other. Congress president is our president,” Soni said.

Some top leaders like Digvijaya Singh and former Union minister Kamal Nath have already openly stated that it was high time Rahul is elevated as president. Singh insisted that a generational shift has to take place. At the same time, he also saw nothing wrong in Dikshit’s remarks.

Source:: Indian Express