CWC members call for Rahul to assume Congress presidentship

Members of the Congress Working Committee, the highest decision making body of the party, today pitched for Rahul Gandhi's elevation as its president.

Member after member suggested that heir apparent to Congress president Sonia Gandhi should helm the party at a meeting of the CWC which was chaired by Rahul Gandhi. The Congress president did not attend the meeting as she was said to be indisposed.

46-year-old Rahul was appointed party vice-president in January 2013 at Congress's brainstorming session in Jaipur. The talk about his elevation has been going on for quite some time now.

Sources said the ball was set rolling by senior Congress leader A K Antony, who first spoke about the need for Rahul Gandhi to take over the party leadership. Antony's suggestion received the backing of all other CWC members attending the meeting, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, sources said.