Kerala leaders leave for Delhi for Rahul’s takeover as Congress chief

Thiruvananthapuram: Top Congress leaders from Kerala on Friday left for Delhi to be present when Rahul Gandhi takes over as the new party President on Saturday.

When he takes over the mantle from his mother Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi will be the youngest President of the oldest political party in India. Sonia Gandhi was the Congress President for 19 years.

Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, state Congress President M.M. Hassan and Leader of Opposition in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala are among the state leaders who have gone to Delhi.

Party sources said that significant changes in the Congress Kerala unit were expected after Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as party chief as he has preferred young blood in party posts.

Hassan’s appointment as Congress Kerala unit chief is a stop-gap arrangement after V.M. Sudheeran quit early in March.

IANS