ADVERTISEMENT

Rahul Gandhi extends family grip on Congress party

India's Rahul Gandhi took over Saturday as president of the main opposition Congress, becoming the sixth member of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to head the party that has ruled the country for much of its independent history.

Fireworks erupted over the party headquarters in New Delhi drowning out the voice of his mother Sonia Gandhi as she handed over the reins of power to her 47-year-old son.

Rahul, wearing a long flowing white kurta, smiled and waved from the dais adorned with posters of his late grandmother and father, former prime ministers Indira and Rajiv Gandhi.

Slogans of "long live Rahul" were shouted as hundreds of supporters danced to drum beats and burst firecrackers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Gandhi was elected unopposed to take over from his mother who has been at the helm since 1998 following the assassination of her husband Rajiv. She helped the Congress win the general elections in 2004 and 2009.

But the party was swept out of office by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right wing Bharatiya Janata Party in 2014 and is now in a fight to win back support before a national election which must be held by 2019.

Rahul has been party vice-president since 2013 and led its campaign for the 2014 election.

He was strongly criticised for what was Congress' worst-ever showing as it lost power to Modi.

Since then, the party has lost polls in many states to the BJP, exposing Rahul to further criticism.

ADVERTISEMENT

On Saturday Sonia was handed a memento by former prime minister Manmohan Singh as a token of appreciation for her "astute leadership" over the years.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Kaduna Gov grants scholarship to 137 rescued schoolchildren, son of late teacher

Kaduna Gov grants scholarship to 137 rescued schoolchildren, son of late teacher

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT