On 14 March 1998, the morning was pleasant, it was not too hot or too cold. All were present at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters at 24 on Akbar road in Delhi betrayed distinct coldness. Party President Sitaraman Kesri entered the congress working committee meeting and he felt something was off. And then hardly anyone stood up to greet him.
Kesri’s face turned red hot and Pranab Mukherjee thanked him for his services and moved a resolution by asking Sonia Gandhi to become the AICC president. Kesri got up and left for his office, he also reject all the persuasion. It was a kind of emotional way of holding something that was soon to become Sonia’s. Some people also said that Kesri was locked inside a bathroom for hours until Sonia took over the party. Later that day, when Kesri was leaving, someone from a congress worker heckled him and even tried to pull his dhoti.
But the reason for talking about Sitaraman Kesri is the current crisis in the congress was triggered by the high command encouragement for Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to the party election. As Gehlot became defiant in not leaving his state to Sachin pilot as he is the who Ganshis wanted to be the next CM.
While making Gehlot, the congress president led to a rebellion of sorts by him, and removing Kesri from the post was even much more dramatic and unceremonious. Incidentally, Kesri was also one of those who promoted the backward caste Congress leader in Gehlot.
FAQ
- When did this incident take place?
Ans. 14th March 1998
- What is the full form of CWC?
Ans. Congress working committee
- Who was going to become the AICC president at that time?
Ans. Sonia Gandhi