Rahul Gandhi's push for Venuguopal as president may run into opposition

New Delhi: As the Congress's central election authority again met on Tuesday to deliberate upon the schedule for elections to the party president's post, everybody was trying to gauge what's on the mind of the Gandhis, considered the first family of the Grand Old Party.

The group of 23 leaders (G23) that wrote the infamous letter demanding reforms in the party is also keeping a close watch on the developments. Sources say many senior Congress senior leaders are apprehensive that Rahul Gandhi may push the name of K.C. Venugopal for the top post. Venugopal is perceived to be close to Rahul Gandhi and holds the post of General Secretary Organisation at present.

Senior leaders say any attempt to push a proxy candidate will not be appreciated. In case it is done, the disgruntled group may opt for elections and challenge such a move. However, sources within the group say there will be no challenge in case Rahul Gandhi himself decides to contests elections for the top post. But in the eventuality that one or more proxy candidates are propped up, sources within the G23 say there will be a contest and other candidates could throw their hat in the ring.

It is worth recalling that when Rahul Gandhi resigned from the post of president after the party was decimated in the General elections, he said he wanted somebody outside the Gandhi family to take on the responsibility. But eventually Sonia Gandhi took charge as interim president in August 2019.

With the unfortunate demise of Ahmed Patel, it would be tough for the party to arrive at a consensus on the name of a non-Gandhi party president and any misadventure may prove counterproductive as some of the regional satraps may part ways with the party as was seen recently in Madhya Pradesh.

Sources said the only name which may be acceptable to everybody other than the Gandhis is that of Ashok Gehlot.