Sonia Gandhi

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday asked senior party leader Shashi Tharoor to refrain from attending a CPI-M seminar to be held in April, directing him to listen to the Kerala leadership. The development came after he joined a meeting of Congress "rebels", apparently ditching the Congress's Kerala unit by planning to attend the Left's seminar.

"Nobody said Mrs Gandhi should quit. "She is Congress President, we are leaders of the party, the feedback which is given to restructure organisation is not meant for public... there is no question on the leadership, when Mrs Gandhi offered (to step back), we all rejected it. "There is no vacancy of the Congress President."

The issue has also been raised by 'G-23' leaders, who have sought that those involved in the election process should be shown exit door. The in charges -- Harish Chaudhary (Punjab), Dinesh Gundu Rao (Goa), Devendra Yadav (Uttarakhand), B.C. Das (Manipur) -- had reportedly told the high command that the party is returning to power but could not get enough seats which could have saved party prestige.

After issuing a statement on "collective" and "inclusive" leadership, Congress dissenters in the group have stated that they are not averse to Sonia Gandhi's leadership but removal of those responsible for party's loss is a must. This is contrary to what Kapil Sibal had said about Gandhis stepping aside. Many have called it his personal view. The statement issued on Wednesday by the group does not mention removal of the Gandhi family which indicates that both the parties want an amicable solution to the problem.

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is leading the 'G-23' group demanding sweeping organisational changes in the party, is likely to meet party interim chief Sonia Gandhi on Thursday to address the grievances of the group sources said. Its likely that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will also be present at this meeting. On Wednesday, 'G-23' leaders met at Azad's residence to chalked out their strategy ahead of the meeting.

Six days after the Congress' near washout in five Assembly elections, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday appointed five senior leaders to assess the post-poll situation in these states. The leaders would suggest organisational changes after interacting from MLA candidates and important leaders. Rajya Sabha MP Rajani Patil will oversee Goa, Jairam Ramesh Manipur, Ajay Maken Punjab, Jitender Singh Uttar Pradesh and Avinash Pandey Uttarakhand.

Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday raised the issue of misuse of social media platforms by political proxies in the Lok Sabha. Taking up the issue during Zero Hour, she urged the government to put an end to systematic influence and interference of Facebook and other social media giants in electoral politics of the world's largest democracy.

"The recent Assembly election results of five states are a cause of serious concern for the Indian National Congress. The party accepts that due to shortcomings in our strategy, we could not effectively expose the misrule of BJP state governments in four states and overcome the anti-incumbency in the state of Punjab in the short time after effecting a change of leadership," said the CWC resolution.

Sources said she indicated that she may step back if the CWC wants but the CWC did not endorse it. The CWC reposed faith in the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and every single member said that she should continue till organisational elections. Party chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said: "The deliberations of the CWC is not open and many people spoke but the CWC statement is the final conclusion of the meeting."