New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi will lead the Congress campaign for the general election, but his mother and party president Sonia Gandhi has decided he will not be the party's prime ministerial candidate. (Track LIVE updates)
Her decision was taken at yesterday evening's meeting of the Congress Working Committee - the party's senior-most leaders including Mr Gandhi who is Vice-President.
Many in the group urged that the 43-year-old formally run for prime minister. But Mrs Gandhi said the Congress traditionally does not name a candidate before voting is held and that Mr Gandhi will serve as the campaign chief, a decision that was then endorsed by the group.
The resolution adopted at yesterday's Congress meeting will be ratified at a huge conclave today to be attended by thousands of party workers.
Mr Gandhi was the star campaigner for the Congress in recent elections in key states like Delhi, but the party performed abysmally.
In a rare moment of public leadership, he publicly contradicted the Prime Minister in September by denouncing the government's intention to move a decree to shield lawmakers convicted of corruption. The move was criticised for undermining the authority of the Prime Minister.
Her decision was taken at yesterday evening's meeting of the Congress Working Committee - the party's senior-most leaders including Mr Gandhi who is Vice-President.
Many in the group urged that the 43-year-old formally run for prime minister. But Mrs Gandhi said the Congress traditionally does not name a candidate before voting is held and that Mr Gandhi will serve as the campaign chief, a decision that was then endorsed by the group.
The resolution adopted at yesterday's Congress meeting will be ratified at a huge conclave today to be attended by thousands of party workers.
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Mr Gandhi was the star campaigner for the Congress in recent elections in key states like Delhi, but the party performed abysmally.
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In a rare moment of public leadership, he publicly contradicted the Prime Minister in September by denouncing the government's intention to move a decree to shield lawmakers convicted of corruption. The move was criticised for undermining the authority of the Prime Minister.
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