Congress defends Rahul for not taking up 'onerous' job of Opposition leader

He stressed that the task of reinventing and reviving the Congress party was “quite a lot” and therefore he has not take up the “onerous task” of Leader of the Party in Lok Sabha which is “very demanding”.

Asked whether Rahul not taking up the crucial post showed that he was hesitant and reluctant, Tharoor told the questioner, “You have chosen to read that signal... but it is not signal about Rahul Gandhi but a recognition of Mallikarjun Kharge.”

Hailing Kharge's nomination, the spokesperson said the appointment was a “tremendous recognition” to the leader from Karnataka who has won Assembly polls nine times and Lok Sabha twice.

Tharoor wanted all talk in the party on the issue of Leader of the Party in the Lok Sabha to stop after CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi chose Kharge for the post.  “Now, we should rally around the leader appointed to the post and give him unstinted support,” he said.

The AICC briefing saw Tharoor fielding a volley of questions on Rahul including whether the Congress vice president would remain a backbencher in Parliament and whether he would make any effective intervention in the Lok Sabha.