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Rahul Gandhi gets Congress post | Rahul Gandhi gets Congress post |
(30 minutes later) | |
India's governing Congress Party has named Rahul Gandhi as a general secretary in the party. | India's governing Congress Party has named Rahul Gandhi as a general secretary in the party. |
Mr Gandhi, 37, is the son of Congress party president Sonia Gandhi. Political observers say he is likely to be the country's prime minister one day. | Mr Gandhi, 37, is the son of Congress party president Sonia Gandhi. Political observers say he is likely to be the country's prime minister one day. |
Analysts say Mr Gandhi's appointment is an indication that the Congress is preparing for early elections. | Analysts say Mr Gandhi's appointment is an indication that the Congress is preparing for early elections. |
He was elected to the lower house of parliament from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh in the last general elections. | |
Mr Gandhi will be heading the youth and students' wing of the party. | |
Celebrations | |
The announcement of Mr Gandhi's appointment has been greeted by jubilant supporters who have gathered outside the Congress party headquarters in central Delhi. | |
Beating drums and waving posters of Mr Gandhi, the supporters burst firecrackers to celebrate the news. | |
The youngest member of India's Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty, Rahul Gandhi had earlier turned down appeals to play a more high-profile role in the party. | |
Three generations of his family have served as Indian prime minister. | |
The Congress party has been under tremendous pressure in the recent weeks from its left-wing allies who have been threatening to end their support unless the government shelves a controversial nuclear deal with the United States. | |
With talks of mid-term polls gaining momentum, analysts say the party is keen to project a new youthful image. | |
They say with the appointment of Mr Gandhi, the Congress has pulled out an ace and his entry will most likely be a major boost to the party's fortunes in the coming days. |