Row over Digvijaya’s Rahul remark

The Congress was, however, quick to distance itself from his statement saying it was his "personal view."

Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh stirred up a hornet's nest by declaring that the time has come for AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi to take over the reins of the party. File photo: S. Subramanium

Controversy erupted after Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh suggested on Saturday that party vice-president Rahul Gandhi take over as party chief from his mother, Sonia Gandhi.

The party officially sought to play down Mr. Singh’s suggestion as a personal view. “It’s a general feeling of party workers that the Congress has always encouraged younger people to lead it. Therefore, I think the time has come when Rahul should take charge,”he had said.

Party spokesperson and former Minister Anand Sharma said Sonia was a source of great inspiration for the party. “Rahul Gandhi is also an inspiration and future of the party,” he added.