Rahul Gandhi may become Congress president after Diwali, time has come for him take over: Sachin Pilot

Rahul Gandhi could take over as the president of the Congress party soon after Diwali this year, party MP Sachin Pilot said today in an interview with news agency Press Trust of India (PTI).

Pilot told PTI that "there is a general sentiment" in Congress that Rahul Gandhi "should take over as the party president". Pilot's comments today were in line with previous reports of Gandhi taking over sometime in October.

"Organisational elections of the Congress are underway and the new president could take over shortly after Diwali. It is something that has been in the pipeline for a long time," Pilot, considered to be close to Rahul Gandhi, told PTI.

Rahul is currently the vice-president of the Congress party and his elevation president, replacing mother Sonia, has been long speculated.

During his recent tour to the United States, Rahul had said that he was willing to take over as Congress president while noting that it is decision the Grand Old Party has to make.

Interestingly, during the same US tour, Rahul, who comes from a family of prime ministers, had spoken about the prevalence of dynasties in Indian politics.

Sachin Pilot, a Congress Member of Parliament from Rajasthan, touched upon the issue in his interview with PTI. Pilot said, "Belonging to a family that has been in politics should not be treated as a disqualification."

A leader's performance ultimately decided his/her worth, Pilot, the son of late Union minister and Congress heavyweight Rajesh Pilot. "If you perform and win the hearts of people through work, delivery and performance, then it will decide. The mere last name will only take you so far."

Pitlot also brushed aside criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party that the Congress was promoting dynasties. "The BJP should introspect. Many of their leaders are also from political families, he said.

GENERATIONAL CHANGE IN CONGRESS

In the PTI interview, Pitlot was asked if the time had come for a generational change in the Congress and for the old to make way for the young. The Rajasthan Congress chief answered, "It is not a question of making way; it is a question of working together."

The cut-off date system did not work in politics, Pilot added, in a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah's reported strategy of 'retiring' leaders over the age of 75.

"The BJP's margdarshak mandal has become the biggest travesty of time. We don t humiliate elders like (they do) in the BJP. I believe we should have a good mix between the old and the new while one must keep changing," Pilot said.

The Congress should go for a "balanced approach" between the young and the old, Pilot told PTI, claiming that the party maintained this as part of its history and tradition.

PRIYANKA, SONIA

Pilot was also asked whether Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul's sister, should join politics. The Rajasthan Congress leader replied saying that is "her personal decision".

And, what about Sonia Gandhi, who has been Congress president for nearly two decades? Sachin Pilot did not speak about that in his PTI interview.

But, a previous Mail Today report had said that Sonia would not "interfere" in the decision-making of the new chief in order to ensure that Rahul has "full authority".

Sonia would, however, would continue as the chairperson of the Congress parliamentary party, a role that would entrust her with the responsiblty of keeping Opposition parties and Congress allies together, the report had said.