NEW DELHI: The G23 group, which is critical of the party’s current course, will demand a change of leadership at its crucial working committee meeting at 4 pm today in the wake of the Congress’ pathetic defeat in the Assembly elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh. The party president Sonia Gandhi has called a meeting of a 54 – member working committee of invitees, including the chief ministers of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
The G23 has decided to nominate Mukul Wasnik as party president. The national media reported, citing party sources, that the demand had already been raised and the leadership had been approached but rejected. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Mukul Wasnik of the G23 team are on the working committee. Although Wasnik continues to be loyal to the Gandhi family, Azad and Sharma are adamant. The official side may try to confront them by lining up other members of the working committee.
Five senior leaders are expected to miss the meeting. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Defense Minister AK Antony are absent from the meeting citing health reasons. Apart from them, three other senior leaders will also be absent from the meeting.
Manmohan Singh did not attend the meeting of Congress leaders at Sonia Gandhi’s residence today ahead of the Congress Working Committee. Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Anand Sharma and Jairam Ramesh were present at the meeting.
English Summary: G23 suggested Mukul Wasnik for Congress chief post