Amid claims of over 100 politicians writing to the Indian National Congress’ interim President Sonia Gandhi demanding change in leadership and bringing about a complete change in the party, senior leaders have spoken on the issue and have backed the Gandhi family.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that he believed Sonia Gandhi should lead the party. “News of 23 senior most Congress leaders writing letter to Hon’ble CP is unbelievable and if it is true – it’s very unfortunate was no need to go in media I strongly believe that Hon’ble CP Smt Sonia Gandhi ji should continue to lead the party at this crucial juncture where the fight is to save the ethos of our Democracy. She has always taken challenges head on,” he tweeted.

“But if she has made up her mind -I believe @RahulGandhi should come ahead and be the Congress President as country faces the biggest challenge to save our Constitution -Democracy,” he added.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel wrote to Rahul Gandhi requesting him to take charge as the president of Congress. “We are all with you. Crores of workers and countrymen of Chhattisgarh and country are with you,” Baghel tweeted sharing a copy of his letter.

Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amrinder Singh’s office, in a statement on Sunday said, “CM opposed bid by few Congress leaders to challenge Gandhi family leadership of party, saying this was not the time to raise such issue, given need for strong opposition against BJP-led NDA that was out to destroy country’s Constitutional ethos and democratic principles”.

Read: Find a new chief: Congress president Sonia Gandhi tells party leaders

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Leader of Congress party in Lok Sabha wrote to Sonia Gandhi urging her to continue as the party chief. “We would like to reiterate our complete & unwavering faith in your leadership of the Congress party,” he wrote.

Senior Congress leader and former Member of Parliament Ashwani Kumar told news agency ANI that the timing and motivation of the letter penned to Sonia Gandhi were ‘suspicious’. “Although some long-standing Congressmen are signatories to letter, there are some who have harmed party repeatedly,” he said.

“Issues required to be addressed can be addressed under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership who has held the party together through difficult times. Only a year ago, party men literally begged her to lead the party. It’s wrong to question her unifying leadership now,” Kumar added.

Read: Sonia Gandhi not stepping down as party president, says Congress

“In an earlier video conference meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi & Rajya Sabha MPs, I categorically appealed to Sonia Gandhi to give the leadership of Congress party to Rahul Gandhi as Narendra Modi is scared of Rahul Gandhi only,” Assam Congress President Ripun Bora told ANI.

Congress Working Committee, the highest decision-making body of the party, announced on Sunday that the party will meet on Monday. “A meeting of the Congress Working Committee will be held on Monday, the 24th August, 2020 at 11.00 AM via video conferencing,” party general secretary KC Venugopal said in a tweet.