CPP Elects Manmohan as Leader, Sonia as Chairperson
In what is a formal stamp for second term as PM, Manmohan Singh has been elected as leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP). At same time, Sonia Gandhi was elected as its chairperson.
The formalities of installation of a new government started just when Singh resigned as prime minister and handed resignations of his council of minister to President Pratibha Patil on Monday.
The Cabinet met for the last time on Monday and recommended that the President dissolve the 14th Lok Sabha. According to a Rashtrapati Bhawan communique, the President accepted the recommendation and signed an order dissolving the Lok Sabha in exercise of the powers conferred upon her by sub-clause (b) of clause (2) Article 85 of the Constitution.
Later, Singh met President Pratibha Patil to tender his resignation while, in keeping with the transition drill, he was asked to continue till an alternative arrangement (read his being invited to form the government again) was made.
At the same time, Election Commission handed over the list of newly-elected Lok Sabha MPs to the President, clearing the way for constitution of the new House. With this, the drill is almost complete for Singh to stake claim.
