Crucial Congress meet underway at Sonia Gandhi's residence; Rahul's elevation likely to be discussed

The meeting of Congress Working Committee, the highest decision-making body of the party is underway in Delhi, where it is likely to discuss Rahul Gandhi's elevation, the current political situation in the country and the issue of forging a larger opposition unity.

The meeting chaired by the Congress president Sonia Gandhi is being held at her residence. She had skipped the last meeting which was chaired by Rahul Gandhi.

Meeting after a gap of seven months, senior members of the CWC are likely to discuss the raging issue.

The CWC is meeting at a time when the Congress is seeking to unite opposition parties ahead of the presidential election.

The CWC members had in November unanimously expressed "strong sentiment" for Rahul's elevation for the first time and may take it further.

At the November-7 meeting, all members, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh and senior leader A K Antony, had made a strong pitch for Rahul to take over the reins of the party.

The Congress president has created a record by being at the helm of the 130-year-old organisation for nearly two decades since late Sitaram Kesri's ouster by the CWC in early 1998.

Rahul was appointed party vice president in January 2013 at Congress's brainstorming session in Jaipur. 

(With agency inputs)