Shatrughan Sinha Backs Priyanka Gandhi as Congress President, Likens Her to Indira Gandhi

Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha on Monday added his voice to those calling for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to become party president, describing her as a truly committed leader who would give the party a boost. The Congress has been facing a leadership crisis since Rahul Gandhi resigned.

Sinha’s tweets

In a series of tweets, the actor-turned-politician said Priyanka’s prompt intervention after the Sonbhadra killings reminded him of the late Indira Gandhi, recalling that in Belchi she had travelled on an elephant. He said Priyanka had acted with determination, accepted arrest with a smile and remained calm in custody, which he described as uncalled for. He appealed for her to be made party president.

Sinha said such a move would be “a booster for the Congress party” and for political parties generally. “She is a role model of a true dedicated leader,” he said, adding that other parties should learn from her.

Other voices

On Sunday, veteran leader Natwar Singh also backed Priyanka. Referring to her Sonbhadra visit, where 10 people were shot dead last week, he said she had stayed there and achieved what she set out to. He argued that the Gandhi family would have to undo Rahul’s decision that no family member would head the party, and warned that a non-Gandhi president would split the Congress.

Former MP Abhijit Mukherjee, son of former president Pranab Mukherjee, had urged Priyanka to respond to party workers’ calls to take charge, and former Union minister Anil Shastri said she was the best person to lead the party and the AICC should elect her.

What happened next

Rahul Gandhi resigned as Congress president in July 2019, and Sonia Gandhi became interim president in August 2019. Mallikarjun Kharge was elected party president in October 2022.

See also: Congress | Political leaders

Originally published on 23 July 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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