Sonia Gandhi to be interim president of the Congress | Highlights
After a deliberation that lasted almost the entire day on Saturday, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) has appointed Sonia Gandhi as interim president of the Congress.
Congress Working Committee went in a huddle on Saturday nearly for the entire day to address the leadership crisis triggered by the resignation of Rahul Gandhi. party's top brass, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Ahmed Patel and P Chidambaram. were present at the meeting. Several state unit chiefs of the party, including Congress' Rajasthan president Sachin Pilot, were also present in the meeting.
In the end, the CWC decided that former Congress president Sonia Gandhi will be interim president of the party.
Here is how it all unfolded during the day.
Congress Working Committee meeting: Highlights
12:00 pm - Congress CWC appoints Sonia Gandhi as the interim president
After a deliberation that lasted almost the entire day today, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) has appointed Sonia Gandhi as interim president of the Congress.
10:27 pm- CWC meeting has remained inconclusive. There was no consensus on next Congress chief. Rahul Gandhi spoke with the media a few minutes ago
10:17 pm- If Rahul remains adamant, Sonia Gandhi may be made interim AICC president: sources
Sources have told India TV News that Sonia Gandhi may be made interim chief of the Congress if Rahul Gandhi remains firm on his resignation as Congress chief.
9:42 pm - Rahul Gandhi arrives at CWC meeting
Rahul Gandhi arrived at Congress Working Committee meeting a few minutes ago.
9:00 pm - Media reports suggest that Rahul Gandhi is the favoured choice of the majority of Congress leaders
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8:48 pm - Announcement of new Congress chief soon
Congress Working Committee is in a huddle to finalise new president of the Congress party.
8:45 pm - Congress leaders arrive at AICC office for CWC meeting
1:30 pm: Congress Working Committee to meet again at 8.30 p.m.
12:40 pm: Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have left the CWC meeting, saying that they cannot be part of this consultation.
12:25 pm: While crucial CWC meeting is being held inside Congress Headquarter, protests are being witnessed outside demanding Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi to be selected for Congress President. Workers say Priyanka is no more a Gandhi, but a Vadra.
12:15 pm: According to sources, factors of age and health are believed to going against Mallikarjun Kharge.
12:00 am: It is possible that there will be another CWC after wider consultation to decide on Congress President.
11:45 am: Mukul Wasnik is said to be the frontrunner in the race for Congress Chief.
11:40 am: Mukul Wasnik, Mallikarjun Kharge, Ashok Gehlot, Sushilkumar Shinde are the names doing the rounds for next Congress President.
11:28 am: Groups have been formed for wider consultations. These groups have been formed to hold wider consultations with the leaders of that specific region. Sources are suggesting that these groups will hold discussion with some specific names and party will go with the majority voice.
The name having consensus will be chosen as the next president.
11:20 am: It is possible that the CWC meeting will be called again.
11:10 am: Others present at the crucial meeting are Meira Kumar, Ahmed Patel, Harish Rawat.
11:05 am: The meeting has Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Randeep Singh Surjewala, KC Venugopal in attendance.
11:00 am: Crucial CWC meet to select new Congress Chief begins.