As Rahul Gandhi Stays Adamant About Stepping Down, 145 Congress Office Bearers Resign Over Poll Debacle

With Congress president Rahul Gandhi remaining adamant on his decision to step down from the helm of the party, some 145 senior office bearers of the party have submitted their resignations during a meeting conducted in Congress party's office in New Delhi, reports Livemint.

The intention of the resignations has been to set an example for senior members of the party to follow suit by taking the moral responsibility behind the dismal performance in the 17th Lok Sabha elections.

"Firm decision of Rahul Gandhi ji to not withdraw resignation as Congress President, morally does not permit me to continue. The defeat is our collective responsibility, hence I hereby tender my resignation forthwith as Goa Congress President," said Goa Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Girish Chodankar.

Congress party's general secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh, Deepak Babaria, also resigned from his post on Friday (28 June). The chief of the party's legal department , Vivek Tankha, also resigned from his post. Rajesh Lilothia, who was a party candidate from North West Delhi, also resigned as the Delhi Congress working president.

The other prominent leaders from the senior rungs of the party, who have resigned were Bihar Congress secretary in-charge Virendra Rathod, Odisha Congress's in-charge secretary Anil Chaudhary, former secretary in-charge Prakash Joshi, and media panellist Sanjay Chopra.