Rahul Gandhi is appointed Congress leader

Rahul Gandhi’s elevation to Congress president on Monday gave the party reason not just to celebrate but keep the festivities going for the next few days to whip up enthusiasm among the cadre ahead of the second phase of polling in Gujarat.

The announcement by the party central election authority (CEA) head Mullappally Ramachandran at the party headquarters on Monday afternoon was almost drowned out by fireworks and cheering right outside 24, Akbar Road. 

Though Rahul was the sole contender in the race for the top job with 89 nominations backed by 10 proposers each all rooting for him, the party’s CEA chose to wait for the last day of withdrawal of nominations to make a final announcement. 

The announcement was made by the party central election authority (CEA) head Mullappally Ramachandran on Monday afternoon to huge celebrations outside

Rahul will formally take charge on December 16 at 11am with the handover of a certificate for his election to the post. 

Following a revamp of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) over the next few weeks, a large All India Congress Committee (AICC) convention will be held by the end of January either in Karnataka or in the national Capital. 

The announcement of Rahul’s appointment as party president on Monday was marked by celebrations across state units as frenzied party workers burst crackers and ordered in kilos of sweets and flowers. 

Festivities are expected to continue for the next few days to whip up enthusiasm among the cadre ahead of the second phase of polling in Gujarat

The party headquarters swarmed with leaders and supporters carrying congratulatory banners even before Ramachandran made the announcement. 

Party leaders said the celebrations are set to continue over the next few days as Gujarat gears up for the second phase of polls. 

On Monday, while the announcement was being made in Delhi, Rahul joined the celebrations in Savli near Vadodara right before a public rally. 

As the party faces a tough political battle in Gujarat, the party leadership is expectantly looking at the change of guard to inject new hope and enthusiasm into the party cadre. 

The announcement of Rahul’s appointment as party president on Monday was marked by celebrations across state units

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate Rahul. ‘I congratulate Rahulji on his election as Congress president. My best wishes for a fruitful tenure,’ he tweeted. 

‘The entire country has a lot of expectations from Rahul Gandhi. Long before he was elected, he proved his mettle. He knows his responsibility,’ senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters. 

‘I am sure the party will see not just revival but massive growth under your able and dynamic leadership,’ Punjab CM Amrinder Singh tweeted.