Congress leaders are in a fix after Rahul Gandhi's final word on his quitting the post. While a section of them is looking for change, another set of leaders is perturbed over the probable choice for Rahul's successor.
A top leader in the party said that the Congress' first family too is worried over the fragile condition of the party currently and the prospect of its further fragmentation, engineered by the BJP, ahead of Assembly elections in some States.
With Assembly elections to States like Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Haryana and Delhi approaching, many in the party feel the Congress has been thrust in a "blind spot". But some leaders said Rahul Gandhi's decision will augur well for a party that needs to reinvent itself and present a clear vision to again emerge as a credible alternative.
"The Congress faces an existential crisis in the absence of clear leadership and such a situation does not bode well for the party which faces assembly elections in the states just a few months later," said a party leader adding Rahul's successor needs to be carefully chosen with a long term vision in mind and should be one who could rise above factions and nepotism to rejuvenate the party right from the grassroots level.
While Rahul in his first reaction post his resignation stated that he would work 10 times harder for the party, his sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi lauded his "courage" to quit the highest post of the grand old party.
Rahul Gandhi in Mumbai told reporters he will engage in the 'ideological fight' with the BJP and the RSS with 10 times more vigour than he did during the last five years. Priyanka on her part took to social media saying, "Few have the courage that you do @rahulgandhi. Deepest respect for your decision."
The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest decision making body, will meet next week to resolve the presidentship issue. The Congress' future too will be chalked out at the meeting.
"The Gandhi family is integral to the Congress. The two cannot be separated. We look forward to their guidance in the coming times," said a party leader pointing to the continuing sway the first family of the party will have on the organization even if a non-Gandhi helms the affairs.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also refused to contemplate a Gandhi-free Congress. "We will bounce back and Congress Party would continue to defeat the fascist forces under Rahul ji's dynamic leadership," he said, expressing the hope that Rahul Gandhi would lead the party with the "same zeal and spirit".
Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar also said: "Without Gandhi family Congress can't be united, without Congress being united country can't be united. Gandhi family is the only strength to keep this party strong, united & rebuild this party to bring it back to power."
