Sonia, Rahul spoke to Azad after CWC meeting

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have reached out to Ghulam Nabi Azad. (PTI)

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Soon after the dramatic Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting that went on for 7 hours, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi reached out to the miffed Ghulam Nabi Azad who said he would resign if it’s proven that he colluded with the BJP. Congress president Sonia Gandhi held a telephonic conversation with Ghulam Nabi Azad after the CWC meeting on Monday. Rahul Gandhi, who expressed severe displeasure over the timing of the controversial letter by a group of 23 dissident leaders in the CWC, also called up Azad on Tuesday.

Congress circles are abuzz with the development as Ghulam Nabi Azad was dejected after some leaders levelled wild charges against the signatories of the letter addressed to 10, Janpath, flagging the leadership crisis. During the CWC meeting, Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that he would resign if the alleged BJP link to the letter is proven. Now, the outreach by the Gandhis is being seen an attempt to woo back the sulking veteran leader and also send a reconciliatory message to all other dissidents.

The details of the conversations are yet to be known but the promptness with which the two top leaders have reached out to the dissident leader is a clear indication that they are willing to address the concerns raised by the dissident group.

The conversation between Sonia Gandhi and Azad happened after a meeting of the dissident group at his residence right after the conclusion of the CWC meet. Top Congress leaders such as Kapil Sibal, Shashi Tharoor and a few others who signed the letter attended the meeting at Azad’s residence and discussed the resolution opted by the CWC to continue with Sonia Gandhi as the party chief for now.

The marathon CWC meeting on Monday saw high drama for 7 hours during which it was alleged that Rahul Gandhi had questioned the timing and intention of the letter by these leaders seeking organizational changes. It was also said that Rahul Gandhi accused the leaders of colluding with BJP, which the party vehemently denied in a press conference.