New Delhi:
Rahul Gandhi will not be the Congress' Prime Ministerial candidate but is all set to lead its campaign for an election that many believe the party can't win. (Track LIVE updates)
Mr Gandhi's mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who decided on Thursday that he would not be the Prime Ministerial candidate, will today address a huge conclave of thousands of party workers. Her opening address is likely to spell out political challenges for the party ahead of the national election, due by May.
The party is likely to adopt a resolution that includes a call to secular forces to unite.
Later in the day, Mr Gandhi, who is vice president, is also expected to spell out his vision for the polls.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is the third key speaker at the meet that is being held as the party fights perception of a government mired in corruption and unable to take strong decisions to boost the economy.
The Congress anticipates that the chorus to make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Ministerial candidate will continue today despite the party chief's decision.
Many in the Congress Working Committee, the party's top decision-making body, urged on Thursday 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.
"I am a dedicated soldier of the Congress. I will perform any duty party asks me to," Mr Gandhi said, according to Janardan Dwivedi.
The BJP scoffed at the Congress' decision, saying its decision to avoid naming Rahul Gandhi as presumptive prime minister was a virtual admission of defeat. The party's Arun Jaitley said it was a move designed to "duck" a Rahul Gandhi-Narendra Modi comparison.
Sources in the Congress acknowledge that senior leaders are not in favour of pitting Mr Gandhi against Mr Modi, whose campaign style is more aggressive and dynamic.
Mr Gandhi was the star campaigner for the Congress in recent elections in key states like Delhi, but the party performed abysmally.
Mr Gandhi's mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who decided on Thursday that he would not be the Prime Ministerial candidate, will today address a huge conclave of thousands of party workers. Her opening address is likely to spell out political challenges for the party ahead of the national election, due by May.
The party is likely to adopt a resolution that includes a call to secular forces to unite.
Later in the day, Mr Gandhi, who is vice president, is also expected to spell out his vision for the polls.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is the third key speaker at the meet that is being held as the party fights perception of a government mired in corruption and unable to take strong decisions to boost the economy.
The Congress anticipates that the chorus to make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Ministerial candidate will continue today despite the party chief's decision.
Many in the Congress Working Committee, the party's top decision-making body, urged on Thursday 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.
"I am a dedicated soldier of the Congress. I will perform any duty party asks me to," Mr Gandhi said, according to Janardan Dwivedi.
The BJP scoffed at the Congress' decision, saying its decision to avoid naming Rahul Gandhi as presumptive prime minister was a virtual admission of defeat. The party's Arun Jaitley said it was a move designed to "duck" a Rahul Gandhi-Narendra Modi comparison.
Sources in the Congress acknowledge that senior leaders are not in favour of pitting Mr Gandhi against Mr Modi, whose campaign style is more aggressive and dynamic.
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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