Sonia Gandhi says CWC decision on PM issue is final

NEW DELHI: Sonia Gandhi today sealed the debate on projection of Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate, saying the CWC decision to make him chief campaigner was final.

The AICC also endorsed the decision with a resolution adopted at its meet, declaring that the Congress party's 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign will be led by Rahul.

Notwithstanding the CWC resolution, party workers voiced strong demand at the AICC meet for anointing Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate.

As soon as the AICC meeting began at the packed Talkatora Stadium here, loud demands were made that the Congress Vice President be declared the PM candidate ahead of the general elections.

The Congress President immediately made it clear that the last night's decision not to nominate him as PM candidate is final, in an apparent bid to avoid any further debate on the issue.

But as the leaders shouted that Rahul be made the PM candidate other party leaders intervened to drop enough indications that despite the absence of a formal decision, it is the Congress Vice President, who will become Prime Minister if the party comes to power.

The slogan shouting continued even as Sonia Gandhi rose to speak, prompting her to declare "a decision has been taken in the CWC and that decision is final."

However, the workers continued with their Rahul as PM candidate pitch.

Later in the evening, Rahul, in his speech, invoked the Constitution, saying it prescribes that the Prime Minister is elected by the MPs.

AICC general secretary, Organisation, Janardan Dwivedi tried to persuade the party workers to keep "patience" telling them in unequivocal terms that it is Rahul Gandhi who will be the leader in future.

"Whenever the question that you are referring to will arise, is there any other name than that of Rahul Gandhi.Is there any alternative to Rahul Gandhi.Is there any other leader in Congress for that. If it is not so, then why do you not understand it properly," he said.