The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) on Sunday passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the party's national president, Congress leaders said.
The resolution was passed in a meeting of 310 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates (who will vote in party's presidential election) from Chhattisgarh chaired by Hussain Dalwai, state Congress communication wing head Sushil Anand Shukla said.
In June this year, the CPCC had passed a similar resolution that Rahul Gandhi should become the party president. The Congress had last month said the election for its president would be held on October 17. The result will be declared on October 19.
If only one candidate is left in the fray after the withdrawal of nominations, the name of the president will be declared on October 8 itself, the party said. The Congress last saw a contest for the post in November 2000. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appointed Dalwai as the election officer for the Chhattisgarh unit.
Chhattisgarh Congress President Mohan Markam, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, AICC General Secretary P L Punia, and state ministers were present in the meeting held at Rajiv Bhawan, the ruling party's state office. Talking to reporters, CM Baghel said he had moved the resolution for appointing Rahul Gandhi as the party's President, which was seconded by PCC chief Mohan Markam, state Assembly Speaker Charan Das Mahant, ministers TS Singh Deo, Shivkumar Dahariya and Premsai Singh Tekam.
To a query, Baghel said, “The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee today passed the resolution (to make Rahul Gandhi president) and the party's Rajasthan unit has also done this." "If similar resolutions are passed in other states, then Rahul ji should rethink over it as the party's presidential election is nearing. Keeping in view the sentiments of all party workers, I think Rahul ji will agree (to become party chief)," he said.
Baghel said he and others also seconded another resolution moved by the PCC chief to authorise the Congress president to appoint the party's state chief and other office-bearers. Both the resolutions were passed in the meeting, he added.
(With PTI inputs)
