R.C. Khuntia on Sonia's Potential Return as Congress President

Key Takeaways

Khuntia praises Sonia Gandhi’s coordination as Congress president.
Decision on her return will involve AICC and her health considerations.
Kharge still has time left in his term.
Exiting leaders had personal interests influencing their departures.
BJD's support for the Waqf Bill raises questions about its secular stance.

Bhubaneswar, April 7 (NationPress) Former MP and Odisha leader R.C. Khuntia commended Sonia Gandhi’s leadership during her time as Congress president, highlighting her coordination abilities. However, he stated that the decision regarding her return as the party chief should be made by her and other key figures within the party.

“Sonia led effectively and had a notable tenure. She served as president for an extended period. The decision on whether she should resume her role is up to the AICC. I believe she may not be inclined to return due to her health issues,” Khuntia shared with IANS.

He noted that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge still has a couple of years remaining in his current five-year term, and discussions about the next leader will occur when the appropriate time arrives.

Commenting on the departure of veteran Congress figures such as Kapil Sibal and Ghulam Nabi Azad, he remarked, “Individuals with personal agendas have exited Congress. Kapil Sibal left after not receiving a Rajya Sabha nomination, while Amrinder Singh and Ghulam Nabi Azad exhibited indiscipline and had ties with the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.

Khuntia rejected claims of chaos within the party and interference by Central leaders, asserting, “In my view, neither Sonia Gandhi nor Rahul Gandhi meddle in state matters. Congress operates through its structured organizational framework.”

The Congress General Secretary criticized the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for backing the Waqf Bill 2025, contending this action revealed the party's lack of secularism.

“It was expected that the BJD would support the Bill. The party has displayed such duality in the past,” he stated.

Khuntia dismissed the BJD's claims of being a secular party, asserting, “Who claims BJD is secular? They were allied with the BJP and have consistently supported BJP legislation.”

“Following the BJD's election loss, many believed they would not support the BJP bill, but their actions contradicted that due to pressures from various scams, including the chit fund scandals involving BJD MLAs,” he concluded.