Congress scion Rahul Gandhi, who did not join Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Council of Ministers, is set to play a “more prominent” role in the party, ahead of the 2014 general elections.
After a substantive reshuffle in Union Council of Ministers on Sunday, the Congress is now gearing up for organisational changes. “A reshuffle in the party is also going to happen very soon,” a senior party leader told Deccan Herald.
Gandhi (42), currently serving as the party’s general secretary, is expected to be elevated to the post of working president or vice- president of the Congress.
“Rahul Gandhi will be playing a more prominent role in the party. He could be elevated as party’s working president or vice president. He will be entrusted with more irresponsibility as party needs further strengthening in view of the elections in 2014,” the leader said. Sonia Gandhi, however, will continue to head the party as its president, he added.
Sources in the party said Rahul is expected to play a major role in the party with the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections due in the next two months and nine more states later to be going to polls in 2013.
“Party is waiting for Gandhi to take over more responsibility to strengthen it ahead for 2014 general elections,” sources said.
The upcoming rejig in the Congress party is expected to witness major changes in the organisation. A number of office bearers in the All India Congress Committee AICC could be changed. Ambika Soni, who shed the Information and Broadcasting Ministry portfolio, is also expected to play a key role in the party