Rahul Gandhi resigns as leader of India's opposition Congress

Wednesday, 3 July 2019 15:22

Rahul Gandhi has resigned as leader of India's main opposition Congress party, taking responsibility for the party's defeat in the recent general election.

He ended weeks of speculation on Wednesday by tweeting his resignation letter, saying it was "an honour to serve the Congress party".

Gandhi also changed his Twitter bio to read: "Member of Congress and Member of Parliament".

A new Congress president will be chosen "within a week", party sources announced, indicating they have finally accepted his decision.

More from International News

Japan's record rains strand thousands at Narita airport; kill eight

Record rainfall in Japan stranded thousands of travellers at Tokyo's Narita airport on Friday, bringing floods to the surrounding area that disrupted transport, knocked out power to 20,000 homes and killed eight.
Air India A320 briefly lost key flight controls, Airbus analysis shows

An Air India Airbus dropped about 300 feet this month, injuring 24 people on board, after the aircraft registered a loss of hydraulic pressure that briefly left key flight controls unresponsive, according to a preliminary Airbus analysis reviewed by Reuters.
Philippine president says he has yet to decide who to back as successor

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr confirmed on Friday that he would endorse a candidate for the 2028 presidential election, but said he had yet to decide who he would back.
Wildfire descends on Croatian tourist town, injures 36

A wildfire in Croatia driven by strong winds descended on the tourist town of Omis overnight, engulfing houses, forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate and injuring dozens, fire brigade and health officials said on Friday.