New Delhi: Sending strong message to detractors of the party especially ‘G-23’ leaders, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has said that she is full-time and hands-on Congress President.

In opening remarks at Congress Working Committee (CWC) meet on Saturday, Congress President also said that for organizational elections of the party, full time President and a team of new office bearers will be held on September 2022, after the elections of Uttar Pradesh and other states due on early 2022.

Mrs Gandhi said that “ I have always appreciated frankness and there is no need to speak to me through media, her reference to G-23 leaders open letter to her through media urging organizational elections to the party and calling for CWC meeting.

Mrs. Gandhi took charge as interim President of the party after Rahul Gandhi resigned two years ago.

"I am, if you will allow me to say so, a full-time and hands on Congress President..." Mrs Gandhi said in the meeting, stated about her leadership on national issues like the farmers protests, the provision of aid and relief during the pandemic and atrocities committed on marginalised groups and communities.

"You are aware that I have been taking them up with the Prime Minister, as have Dr Manmohan Singh ji and Rahul (Gandhi) ji.. I have been interacting with like-minded political parties regularly. We have issued joint statements on national issues and coordinated our strategy in Parliament as well."
“I always appreciated frankness, don’t want to speak me through media”, she hits out at G-23 leaders who released letter to media about internal matters of the party recently. Further Congress top leader said that “ but what should get communicated outside the four walls of this room is the collective decision of the CWC," she added

"Our preparations began a while back. Undoubtedly, we face many challenges but, if we are united, disciplined, and focus on the party's interests alone, I am confident we will do well," Mrs Gandhi said.

"Today is the occasion for bringing clarity once and for all. A schedule for full-fledged organisational elections is before you... General Secretary (Organization) (KK) Venugopal ji will brief you on the entire process later," Mrs Gandhi said, NDTV reported.

57 members met today, including Mrs Gandhi, Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi, and General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, as well as senior figures like ex Union Minister P Chidambaram and the Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh (Bhupesh Baghel) and Punjab (Charanjit Channi). Some members of the 'G-23' were also present.

This was the Congress' first in-person meet since the pandemic and a series of lockdowns.