Digvijay wants Rahul to take over, Cong distances

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh on Saturday stirred a controversy by saying that time has come for Rahul Gandhi to take charge of the party from Sonia Gandhi, a statement that was described as his 'personal views' by the party.

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh on Saturday stirred a controversy by saying that time has come for Rahul Gandhi to take charge of the party from his mother Sonia Gandhi, a statement that was described as his "personal views" by the party.

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"It's a general feeling of Congress workers that Congress has always encouraged younger people to lead the party. Therefore, now I think the time has come when Rahul Gandhi should take charge," Singh told reporters here.

Asked about the recent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections losses suffered by the party, he said one should also take into account the wins between 2004 and 2014.

Reminded of his earlier remarks about leadership capabilities of the Congress Vice President, Singh said, "Please revisit my statement. I had said Rahul Gandhi does not hanker after power unlike Mr Modi who cannot live and breathe without power".

The party termed it his personal view. "Whatever Digvijaya Singh has said is his personal view.

The Congress party has always taken collective view when it comes to strengthening of the organisation or in the interest of the country," party spokesperson Anand Sharma told PTI.

He said Sonia was a source of great inspiration for the party. "Rahul Gandhi is also an inspiration and future of the party," Sharma said.