“My role is to retire” says congress head Sonia Gandhi

Before Rahul Gandhi formally takes over the reins as Congress president, the party has clarified that Sonia Gandhi announced her retirement from politics. Sonia has been President for last 19 years of Congress party. Rahul Gandhi was elected as the party president on December 11. However, the certificate of victory is yet to be formally handed over to him, he was stationed in Gujarat for the last phase of campaigning. Sonia was asked by the media after Rahul becomes Congress’ national president, what role she sees for herself in the party. Ms. Gandhi Replied, “My role is to retire”.

However, she didn’t elaborate, whether she is retiring as party president alone, or if she wants to step down from active politics altogether. Ms. Gandhi would have to relinquish her parliamentary post and constituency if she is taking a break from politics.

However, the speculation has been rife in recent years that Sonia’s daughter Priyanka Gandhi could take charge of the party. She also campaigned for her brother and mother in the past. Rahul’s official swearing-in as Congress president after Two days.

But in recent years, Rahul Gandhi has been taking an increasingly active role in the affairs of the Congress party. Mr. Gandhi now busy in led the party’s campaign for Assembly elections in Gujarat. As he is going to become a president of the party, he will become the fifth member of the Gandhi-Nehru family to ascend to the top post of the Congress party.

Sonia Gandhi becomes the president of the Congress party in 1998, seven years after her husband, Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated. In 2004, Under Sonia’s leadership, her Congress party came to power. She steered the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) as its chairperson and also headed the National Advisory Council (NAC).

Congress national spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that Smt. Sonia Gandhi has retired as President of Indian National Congress and not from politics. Her blessings, wisdom and innate commitment to Congress ideology shall always be our guiding light.