Sonia gives up PCI membership

The club's office-bearers—who recently presented Sonia Gandhi with the honorary membership during a meeting with her at her residence—were alleged to have used the meeting to gain advantage in their fight against dissidents within the club.

Congress sources say that AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi had written to PCI's Secretary General conveying Gandhi's decision to relinquish the honorary membership. The membership card that was presented to her by PCI office-bearers has also been surrendered to them.

PCI executive committee members had called on the UPA chairperson seeking her support in finding a new place for the club. Its current premises at Raisina Road in the capital is to be demolished for metro construction. Club officials also sought Gandhi's support in its centenary celebrations. The meeting triggered a row as the club had recently held an extra-ordinary general meeting to sack the office-bearers, who stand accused of irregularities.

AICC sources say that Sonia decided to give up her membership when she learnt that office-bearers used their meeting with her to gain an upper-hand in the factional fighting.