Pilot and Scindia have all qualities to become Congress president

Mumbai : Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora on Sunday proposed the names of Sachin Pilot and Jyotiraditya Scindia for the post of party's national president.

The Congress Working Committee will meet on August 10 here amid a leadership crisis, and finding Rahul Gandhi's successor is likely to top the agenda of the party top brass.

Deora told PTI he agreed with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh that the new Congress president should be young, capable and possess electoral, administrative and organisational experience, and a pan India appeal.

"In my view, Sachin Pilot and Jyotiraditya Scindia have all these qualities and can provide strength to the organisation and vigour to the opposition space," he said.

He added that he was "unequivocally ruling myself out" adding that "I know my strengths and capabilities and I am willing to work with anyone in the best interest of our party".

Deora said Pilot or Scindia should be made interim president at least, and be publicly backed by the Gandhi family.

"Unless of course, the Gandhi family disagrees with my assessment," he added. To a query on what if the party decided on someone other than the two, he said, "If the party collectively decides on someone else, I will respect its wisdom.

But I will be surprised if the party or public disagrees with my assessment." Responding to a question on the party's indecisiveness regarding the new president, Deora said Congress must respect the faith 13 crore voters have reposed in the party by taking decisive steps.

"It is high time we, as a party, made a collective call on our leadership. In my opinion, we need to put our best foot forward, enthuse the cadre and once again attract the attention of the electorate," he said.He said the delay in electing a new congress chief was hurting the party.

Vveteran leader Karan Singh has said Priyanka Gandhi will be a "unifying force" and will enthuse cadres if she takes on the mantle of party president.

He also said the Congress has "definitely been harmed" due to the indecision over the leadership issue and cautioned that remaining "headless" can be "seriously detrimental" to the party going forward.

"Baffled" over the "state of indecision" in the party, Singh on Saturday said there are some very senior people in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and they should have come together earlier and done something about the situation arising out of Rahul Gandhi's resignation.

"One cannot leave the party headless. It is not fair to the Congress," said Singh, a close associate of the Gandhi family who has been in the party for over 50 years.

Asked about growing voices within the Congress calling for Priyanka Gandhi to take over as party chief, Karan Singh said it has to be her decision and if she agrees to take up the responsibility, he will welcome it.

She has to take a decision and can't be bulldozed into taking up the party presidency, the 88-year-old leader said.