SONIA ACTION UNLIKELY TO SET THINGS RIGHT

Congress needs to win upcoming state polls which will be like semi-finals ahead of 2024 parliamentary elections.

- AJIT MAINDOLA

The Congress is anxiously calculating whether or not Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from the Lok Sabha will get the party sympathy. Similarly, the party is also worried about what will happen if Rahul Gandhi does not file an appeal against the conviction.

Informed sources believe that Rahul Gandhi will definitely file a petition against the conviction as he has no other option. As things stand today, Rahul Gandhi will be imprisoned for two years following which he will not be allowed to fight election for six years, if he does not file an appeal against the conviction. What will happen if Rahul Gandhi insists on going to jail? Will then Priyanka Gandhi Vadra be taking over his responsibilities? It is quite natural in politics to be ambitious. So, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra might also be having bigger ambitions. Her fiery speech at Rajghat during Satyagrah signalled that she would be leading from the front now. This has triggered speculation about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's future role as well. The equations in the party will undergo a big change if Priyanka Gandhi Vadra takes over Rahul's responsibilities. However, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's active role in UP did no good to the Congress. Allegations were made against her personal staff as well. A big faction which gives weightage to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, does not normally agree to the decisions taken by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.