Mallikarjun Kharge will be Congress leader in Lok Sabha

Echoing the view in some sections of the party that either of the Gandhis should take the mantle of leadership in Lok Sabha, former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor had said a couple of days back that the political leadership of the party has to be its face to the nation as well.

While a number of senior leaders wanted Sonia to take over as the Leader of Opposition, the leaders mentored and given responsibilities by the Congress Vice President want him to lead the pack.

Their argument was that it was Rahul, who was the face of the party in the Lok Sabha polls, and  should not “shy away” from taking responsibility in difficult times for the party.

There was a view that if Sonia does not become the Leader of the party in Lower House, then Rahul should assume the role.

Leaders have been saying in private that the party should not be sending confusing signals among party workers and the voters as to where the leadership of Congress lies.