The Congress has called a meeting of its working committee on November 7, and according to sources, will seek a one-year extension to complete the process of organisational elections.
This means the proposed elevation of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to the post of party president will have to wait for some more time.
The Congress had held a meeting of the working committee in 2015 to seek a one-year extension.
As that extension comes to an end without the election process being completed, it was imperative for the working committee to seek another extension. The official reason for the extention would be that organisational elections at the constituency level and state level have not been completed.
Many in the Congress feel that it would be appropriate for Congress president Sonia Gandhi to continue in the post with the party undergoing a churning process.
There was a lot of speculations that Mr Gandhi would take over after the 2014 Lok Sabha poll debacle, in which the Congress was reduced to a mere 44 seats in the Lok Sabha. Many also feel that since important Assembly elections are around the corner, it would be unwise of Mr Gandhi to take over at such a crucial juncture.
Some others within the Congress feel that an announcement regarding Mr Gandhi should be made closer to these Assembly elections, so there is a fillip in the fortunes of the Congress.
However, appointing the party president is within the sole purview of the Congress working committee, and technically, it can do so whenever it deems fit.
As of now, the Congress has decided to carry on with the present system which is in place.
