Different voices emerged within the Congress over the issue of leadership on Monday with Ambika Soni insisting the party needed Sonia Gandhi as its chief and general secretary Digvijaya Singh pitching for Rahul Gandhi, saying a "generational change has to take place".
"There is no question of having one at the cost of the other. Congress president is our president. We need her. And you see in few days she has been moving from state, meeting farmers, getting party energised. The whole party is upbeat," Soni said.
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit earlier sparked off a debate in the party with his remark that Sonia was the "leader" for "99% of" partymen and she was needed at the helm now more than ever in the past.
Digvijaya Singh, however, supported Rahul Gandhi's possible elevation. "A generational change has to take place. It is the law of nature. Can you defy the law of nature," he said. Singh made it clear it was for the Congress chief to decide on the next party president.
The Congress vice-president, who has been on a "leave of absence" for nearly two months, is set to address the party's farmers' rally at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on April 19.
{{/usCountry}}The Congress vice-president, who has been on a "leave of absence" for nearly two months, is set to address the party's farmers' rally at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on April 19.
{{/usCountry}}Digvijaya Singhsaid the rally, which is to be attended by lakhs of farmers from across the country, will be addressed by party president Sonia Gandhi and others.