New Delhi:The Congress Working Committee, the highest decision making body of the Congress, on Saturday turned down Rahul Gandhi’s offer to quit as party president and authorised him to restructure the party in wake of its dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a press conference after the CWC meeting, along with senior party leaders A k Antony, Ghulam Nabi Azad, AICC general secretary K C Venugopsl and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, AICC media incharge Randeeep Surjewala said,’’ Congress President, Rahul Gandhi in his address to the CWC offered his resignation, as the party president. The CWC unanimously and with one voice rejected the same and requested the Congress President for his leadership and guidance in these challenging times. The CWC unanimously called upon the Congress President, Rahul Gandhi to lead the party in its ideological battle and to champion the cause of India’s youth, the farmers, the SC/ST/OBC’s, the Minorities, the poor and the deprived sections.’’
In a unanimous resolution, the CWC meeting, attended by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, organisational general secretary KC Venugopal, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, senior leaders like Motilal Vohra, AK Antony, Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sheila Dikshit, Ambika Soni, Kumari Shelja, P Chidambaram, Tarun Gogoi, Meera Kumar, Oommen Chandy, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Mukul Wasnik, also authorized the Congress president to restructure the party.

‘’The CWC fully recognizes the challenges, the failures and the shortcomings, resulting into this mandate. The CWC recommends a thorough introspection and requested the Congress President for a complete overhaul and a detailed restructuring at every level of the party. A plan to this effect shall come into force at the earliest,’’the CWC said.

While acceptoing the mandate of the people in the Lok Sabha elections, the CWC said the party would continue its fight against forces that thrive on hatred and division.

‘’ With utmost humility the Congress Working Committee accepts the mandate of the people of India expressed through the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

The CWC expresses its gratitude to the 12.13 Cr voters who have stood behind the Congress party. The Congress party is committed to dawn the role of a constructive opposition, raising people’s issues and holding the government accountable to people of India. ’ We shall continue its fight against forces that thrive on hatred and division,’’the CWC said.