Congress Headquarters Getting a New Look for Rahul Gandhi’s Elevation

New Delhi: The Congress headquarters is all set for the big day. By the first week of December, the party is expected to have a new president - Rahul Gandhi.

Inside the party office on Akbar Road in central Delhi are telltale signs of a change in the air. The first sign is the new coat of paint for the old building, signifying the out with the old and in with the new message. A room dedicated to media, which was also used for live uplinking, is being dismantled to make space for Rahul’s younger social media team.

Sources said the party wants to clean up the mess. To use Rahul’s words, it wants to “get rid of what is not needed.” This can be seen in the old furniture being replaced.

The AICC office on Akbar Road in central Delhi getting a new coat of paint. (Photo: CNN-News18)

Sources say, unlike Sonia, Rahul will spend more time at the party office like Rajiv and Indira did before her. He will also hold regular interactions with the media.

The huge board outside the main gate has been dominated by Sonia Gandhi’s face for the past 20 years, but now more space will be made for Rahul. Sonia would still feature prominently, sources said, to send the message that she is very much around .

This is also to placate the many veterans, especially those who are apprehensive of their future once Rahul takes over. Rahul himself has made it clear that he will not sideline the old guard.

Rahul’s room at the AICC will also get a new board. At present, it reads vice-president, and soon, it will be made president. There is no clarity as to what the board outside Sonia’s room will read.

The election process will begin on December 1 and December 4 is the last date for withdrawal of nominations . If there are no other candidates, Rahul will be unanimously elected as the next president of Congress.

His elevation takes place at a time when the party is in poor shape and the Modi shadow still looms large. Rahul’s first big challenge will be to improve the party’s performance in Gujarat. It also needs to win crucial states like Rajasthan and Karnataka.