What will be Sonia’s role now?

The big question is whether she will relinquish charge as head of the parliamentary party.

Rahul Gandhi’s elevation ends the 19-year reign of his mother, Sonia Gandhi, as president of the Congress. She is now expected to be a mentor and guide to the party. Sources say a post of party patron will be created to keep her on in an advisory role.

The big question, however, is whether she will relinquish charge as head of the parliamentary party who sets the parliamentary agenda and is also de facto member of the party’s highest decision-making body, the Congress Working Committee.

According to party insiders, she has expressed the desire to quit that position too and remain just in the background.

“Her guidance and presence in Parliament as the leader of the party is healthy for us. She energises us and keeps us motivated to go on. But it remains her call whether or not she wants to continue in this position,” K.C. Venugopal, MP from Kerala, told The Hindu.

As parliamentary party leader, Ms. Gandhi is also the key negotiator with other Opposition parties. The presidents of Opposition parties find it more comfortable to deal with her than her son.

“She has got a skill to unite the entire Opposition. It is only because of her dynamic and resourceful leadership that we were able to bring in many disparate groups together in 2009,” Lok Sabha member Veerappa Moily said.

Party insiders, however, are not placing any bets considering how she had taken everyone by surprise with her sudden decision not to accept the Prime Minister’s office in 2009.

“In the past we have seen how easily she gave up the Prime Minister’s post. For her leaving a position of power is not too difficult. So how much ever we may like her to continue, I will not be surprised if she gives up this charge for Rahulji,” Ranjeeta Ranjan, Congress MP from Bihar, said.

Insiders also say that Ms. Gandhi’s political adviser Ahmed Patel will continue to be a member of the CWC. However, Mr. Gandhi may do away with the political adviser position.

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