The highest decision-making body of the Congress is expected to give the go-ahead for an organisational election for a full-term chief rather than an interim poll for the post of president when the party's Working Committee meets today, sources have told NDTV.
Sonia Gandhi, who was named interim chief following the resignation of son Rahul Gandhi over the 2019 election debacle, is expected to continue till the entire process of fresh memberships and a full-fledged election takes place from the district to the national level, the said.
This decision will have to be endorsed at the Congress Working Committee or CWC meeting with some members like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma – part of the group of dissenters termed 'G-23' - asking for internal elections in the party.
The overwhelming view amongst most CWC members is to have a membership drive and internal elections from the grassroots to the top and elect a president for a full term and not for a short period till December 2022, sources said.
With crucial state elections expected to take place in early 2022, many leaders feel the focus should be on winning these polls rather than have an interim election for the post of party president.
The CWC is unlikely to discuss any disciplinary issues but will definitely discuss the upcoming state elections and the need for unity amongst all factions in the party to take on the BJP in various states.
The Congress's internal strife made front-page headlines last year after the G-23 wrote an unprecedented letter to Sonia Gandhi asking for sweeping changes in the party and a "visible and effective leadership".
Since then, various leaders have reminded the Gandhis that nothing has changed on the ground and the Congress down spiral continues even as it handles turmoil in state units from Punjab to Chhattisgarh.
The Congress has also been steadily losing a string of leaders like Amarinder Singh, Sushmita Dev and Luizinho Faleiro. The nosebleed started when Jyotiraditya Scindia, one of Rahul Gandhi's closest confidantes, switched to the BJP last year. Earlier this year, Jitin Prasada followed. In Rajasthan, the party has yet to resolve the Ashok Gehlot versus Sachin Pilot feud.
BJP vs Congress On US Government Department Move Against Adani Group Manipur Congress Asks Party Chief To Take Action Against P Chidambaram Over "Regional Autonomy" Post "Will Retire From Politics If...": Siddaramaiah On PM Modi's Remarks Election Results 2024 LIVE Updates: Maharashtra Battle To Decide Real NCP, Sena Election Results LIVE: INDIA Bloc Crosses 50 Seats In Jharkhand, NDA Trails NDA 200 And Counting, Set To Thump MVA, Record Landslide Win In Maharashtra JK Police SI Recruitment 2024: Notification For 669 Vacancies Out NBEMS Issues Leave Rules For Postgraduate Medical Trainees Adani CFO Defends Group Against US Charges Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.