Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi left a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) in New Delhi on Saturday about two hours after it began, as the party’s top body started the search for a new president to succeed Rahul Gandhi.

Why they left

Outside the AICC headquarters, Sonia Gandhi said it would not be proper for the two of them to be present while the consultations went on. Inside the meeting, she told colleagues that remaining there would amount to a “conflict of interest”. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stayed back because she is a party general secretary.

Their departure was read as a sign that the Congress could be led by someone outside the Gandhi family for the first time in over 20 years. Party sources said a decision might come as early as Saturday night.

The search for a successor

Over two months after Rahul Gandhi said he would step down, the party was still struggling with the gap at the top. Veteran leader Mukul Wasnik and Mallikarjun Kharge, formerly the Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, were seen as the leading contenders, though it was unclear whether a consensus would form around either.

On Friday, Rahul Gandhi had widened the process after state leaders asked to be involved. The CWC then set up five committees covering the regions and states to suggest and discuss names, and these were to report to the CWC by Saturday evening.

Leaders such as Milind Deora had also put forward Sachin Pilot and Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said a young leader should take charge.

A senior leader said the CWC could name a provisional president, ask a group of leaders to find a new chief if differences were sharp, or set a timetable for an election to the post.

What happened next

Sonia Gandhi became interim Congress president in August 2019. Mallikarjun Kharge was elected party president in October 2022.

See also: Indian National Congress and political leaders.

Originally published on 10 August 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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