Rahul Gandhi has formally taken over as Congress president today. The party's Central Election Authority president Mullapally Ramachandran has handed over the Certificate of Election to Rahul Gandhi in the presence of his mother Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh.
He takes charge as Congress chief from Sonia Gandhi, who became Congress president in 1998 and steered the 132-year-old political party for 19 years.
Rahul Gandhi's supporters outside the party headquatress are celebrating his taking charge as Congress chief with sweets (ladoos) laid out for all to have.
Visuals from outside Congress HQ in Delhi; sweets brought in, supporters continue to celebrate & raise slogans ahead of Rahul Gandhi's takeover as party President. pic.twitter.com/e62Fgumr7t
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2017
Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Robert Vadra have arrived at the Congress headquarters for the 'coronation' of Rahul Gandhi as party president. The Congress scion is on his way with former PM Manmohan Singh.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra & her husband Robert Vadra reach Congress HQ at Akbar Road ahead of Rahul Gandhi taking charge as party President. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/SKBGPBVKlY
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2017
Gandhi had been the party vice president for over four years since 2013.
On Friday, Sonia Gandhi announced her retirement as Congress president but not from politics. Asked what role she will assume after Rahul Gandhi takes over the reins of the party, she told media persons: "My role is to retire."
Sonia became Congress president in 1998 and steered the 132-year-old party for nearly two decades.
OneIndia News
