Amid the leadership crises in the Congress, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday reportedly told the Congress Parliamentary Party that his decision to quit as party president is final.

The Congress Parliamentary Party, headed by Sonia Gandhi, met this morning in Parliament precinct where the issue of Rahul Gandhi taking sole responsibility for the party’s defeat in the Lok Sabha election was reportedly raised.

Some MPs, including Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tiwari, have reportedly told him that the blame for the party’s defeat cannot be taken by just one individual. Simultaneously, there was a sit-in outside Rahul Gandhi’s house by Youth Congress members who urged him to reconsider his decision. Joined by senior leaders — Shakti Singh Gohil and JD Seelam — they shouted slogans demanding Rahul’s return.

‘Rahul, a strong leader’

“Indian Youth Congress firmly believes that only Rahul Gandhi is capable of providing strong leadership and pose resistance. While it is a fact that the Congress party has suffered a setback at the national level, this had happened in the past too and the party has sprung back with renewed energy every time. The victory of communal forces has led to apprehension and concern in the minds of all those who believe in secular and democratic values. In such a situation, Rahul Gandhi should lead the party,” said a statement issued by the Youth Congress.

This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has repeated his resolve to quit. There have been multiple meetings of the Congress top leaders since the party lost heavily to the BJP in the May 23 elections.

Following the election results, Rahul offered his resignation during a meeting of the Congress Working Committee on May 25. While the CWC rejected the offer, Rahul has remained firm. It was initially decided that he would continue for a month till the party finds an alternative. But now at the end of the month, the Congress still remains rudderless.

Meanwhile, the it is facing relentless attacks and gibes in both Houses of Parliament with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself leading the blistering charge.

Besides the PM’s attack, other BJP MPs, too, have been openly questioning the Congress on the leadership crises. “Does the Congress have a President? Does anyone know?” asked BJP MP from Hazaribagh Jayant Sinha during the debate on the motion of thanks to the President in the Lok Sabha.

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