The CWC, the party’s highest decision-making body, also extended the process of the organisational elections which were scheduled to be completed by December 31. The Congress has struggled with its membership drive preceding the election process since it lost the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Gandhi launched a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it had become clear that he had only indulged in hawaa baazi during his election campaign. The government failed abysmally to “match words with deeds, to match media events with actual accomplishments, to match headlines with substance,” she said.

She also sought to credit Mr. Gandhi with forcing the government to retreat on the Land Acquisition Bill and the party announced plans to hold a rally in Delhi this month to highlight his role in spearheading its campaign.

While the CWC decision is being seen as Mr. Gandhi backing out of taking up the top responsibility once again, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the combination of “Ms. Gandhi’s experience and the vice-president’s energy” worked best for the party in the current political scenario.