No non-Gandhi can replace Rahul Gandhi as President, says Ripun Bora

Rahul Gandhi should take over as full-time Congress chief and continuation of Sonia Gandhi as interim president should be used to make consensus for it, Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora said on Wednesday. The APCC president has recently written a letter to Sonia Gandhi appealing her to make Rahul Gandhi as the Congress president, reports ETV Bharat correspondent Gautam Debroy.

New Delhi: Amid ongoing controversy over the change in leadership in Congress, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president and Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora told ETV Bharat on Wednesday that only Rahul Gandhi can lead the Grand Old Party from the frontline.

He also ruled out the possibility that a non-Gandhi leader can lead the party at this present situation.

"This is true that except Gandhi family, no one can lead the party at present and give a strong fight to BJP. Rahul Gandhi can only lead the party from the front," said Bora.

The APCC president has recently written a letter to Sonia Gandhi appealing her to make Rahul Gandhi as the Congress president.

"I have written a letter to Sonia Gandhi regarding Rahul Gandhi as Congress president. In fact, in a recent video conferencing meeting with Sonia Gandhi, I have suggested the same," added Bora.

Referring to the resumption of Sonia Gandhi as party's interim president, Bora said that, "After six months we want a full-time president. We want a leader who can lead the party with vigour. In these six months, Sonia Gandhi should consult with all leaders to make Rahul as party president."

He said that the letter written by 23 senior Congress leaders should not be treated as a protest against any individual.

"They have only requested Sonia Gandhi for a change. I believe, it will be possible, if there is a full-time party president," added Bora.

He said that leadership depends on acceptance by others. "On earlier occasions, we have non-Gandhi leaders but if the person is neither effective nor aggressive, the party will not get anything from that leader," said Bora.

He ruled out that BJP can take any advantage out of the present internal situation of Congress. "I don't think BJP can get any political advantage given the fact that people are accusing BJP of the current chaotic situation of the country. People have lost faith in BJP," said Bora.

He criticised BJP saying that Covid has not yet been brought under full control, but the government has given a go-ahead to conduct JEE and NEET tests.

"Keeping in mind the present health emergency, we demand that NEET, JEE and all other examinations should be postponed," Bora said.

The APCC president said that he has requested Prime Minister and Education Minister to postpone all examinations.

He said that the BJP Government in Assam has failed to control the Covid19 pandemic.

"Situation in Assam is very pathetic. The state government has totally failed to control the situation," said Bora.

He informed that former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has also tested Covid positive as he has been meeting with several party leaders in the last few days.