In the wake of Congress’ miserable performance in Uttar Pradesh bypolls, state unit chief Raj Babbar has resigned from his post, reports said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitin Prasada is likely to replace him.
The actor-turned-politician had been appointed the chief of Uttar Pradesh Congress in July 2016 and it was under his watch that the party received a major drubbing first in the 2017 assembly polls and recently in the Gorakhpur, Phulpur bypolls.
In the assembly polls, the Congress managed to win just 7 of the 403 seats while in the bypolls, both of its candidates lost their deposits.
The development is significant because Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had recently stressed that there was a need for younger leaders in the organisation to come forward.
Following this, Goa Congress President Shantaram Naik had on Tuesday resigned from his post claiming that he was “inspired” by the Gandhi scion’s call asking senior leaders to make way for the younger lot.
Sources said Babbar’s resignation has not been accepted by the party yet.
Talking to the media, Babbar said new arrangements were being worked out in the Congress and whatever new role that he will be given by the party chief, he will take them up and work towards 2019 General Elections.
“Whatever I have to say, I talk it out with my party President, the same has been happening and is happening,” he said adding that there was no pressure on him for quitting over party’s performance in recent UP by-polls.