"Party cadre in South will commit suicide if Rahul Gandhi resigns," Emotional statement by Minister

Days after election results, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday offered to resign as Party President after Congress fared badly in the Lok Sabha elections. To which the Congress Working Committee rejected the resignation. During the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held today, all leaders urged Gandhi to continue as the party president, even as Rahul remained firm on his decision to resign.

According to Business Standard report, P Chidambaram got emotional while appealing to Congress President Rahul Gandhi not to step down from his post, claiming that the party's cadres in the southern states will commit suicide. Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Rahul has been authorised to restructure the party following its dismal performance in the recently held general elections.

Media reports further said that, when party leaders asked UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to intervene and dissuade Rahul from resigning, she said it was up to Rahul to decide whether to step down or not. However, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was of the view that no decision should be taken in haste. She further claimed that if Rahul decides to resign, it would mean that he fell into BJP's trap.

The CWC members also praised their leader's aggressive approach in the run-up to polls, and said there were shortfalls in others. Priyanka, said that during the campaigning, basic issues were not discussed and the ruling government succeeded in suppressing those, media reports add. 

During the CWC meet, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Karnataka's former chief minister Siddaramaiah were also present, among others.