No decision yet on Sonia continuing as UPA chairperson: Moily
December 26, 2017  14:51
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Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily has said that no decision has been taken on whether Sonia Gandhi will continue to occupy the position of UPA chairperson or make way for new party president Rahul Gandhi.


Moily acknowledged there are calls for her continuation in the position, but said Rahul Gandhi, who assumed charge as the Congress president earlier this month, is also capable of holding the post.


"Rahul Gandhi is also capable," the former Union minister told PTI yesterday. The decision on the UPA's chairmanship has not yet been taken and "it is left to them (Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi)," he said.


Ever since Sonia Gandhi stepped down as the Congress president, there was speculation whether Rahul Gandhi would assume charge of the UPA chairperson or she would continue in the position. Asked if it would "help" if Sonia Gandhi continued to be the UPA chairperson, Moily declined to comment and said, "Ultimately, it's between them (Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi); they will have to take a call."


He said Sonia Gandhi has "managed the party very well" during her 19-year tenure as the Congress president, adding that "she has to continue to be active in providing advice and, while running the party by Rahulji, she has to be behind him always."


She should continue to be a part of the decision- making process and her "wise counsel" should always prevail on the Congress, the former chief minister of Karnataka said.


On TMC leader Derek O'Brien's statement that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has the "finest credentials" to take on the BJP in 2019, Moily said it's not an "objective" assessment.


He argued that ever since Sonia Gandhi became the party president and also the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), she has provided "best leadership" for the party and also the United Progressive Alliance.
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