**New Delhi, Jun 8:** The Congress’ top leadership commenced pivotal discussions on Saturday regarding the Lok Sabha election results, convening at a meeting of the party’s working committee in New Delhi.
The extended session of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) commenced at Hotel Ashok, where senior party leaders, CWC members, Congress Legislature Party leaders, and Pradesh Congress Committee presidents from various states convened to assess the party’s performance and propose strategies for organizational enhancement.
Prominent figures including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, alongside other leaders, are participating in these deliberations. Kharge, as the convener, will also host a dinner for all extended CWC members and party MPs at the venue.
Additionally, a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party, involving newly-elected MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, will convene in the Central Hall of Parliament at 5.30 pm. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh confirmed that the party MPs would elect the new Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson during this session, with Sonia Gandhi likely to retain the position.
Ramesh, in a statement, characterized the 2024 elections as a moral setback for Narendra Modi and the BJP, while terming it a morale booster for the Indian National Congress and the INDIA Janbandhan.
Following the election, the Congress has emerged as the second-largest party in the Lok Sabha, securing 99 seats, a notable improvement from its 52-seat tally in 2019. This marks the first instance since 2014 that the Congress will assume the post of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
The decision regarding the leadership of the party and the opposition in the Lok Sabha, including the potential appointment of former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, is anticipated to be a key agenda item during the CWC and Parliamentary Party meetings.
Rahul Gandhi, who won seats in both Wayanad and Rae Bareli constituencies, faces a decision within 14 days on which seat to retain, a choice that must be made before the upcoming oath-taking ceremony, expected next week.
The Congress, now a formidable force in Parliament, aims to vigorously address issues affecting the populace, including price hikes and unemployment, in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, signaling a robust opposition stance.
