A vital question that has kept the entire Opposition agitated for years — who would be the next Congress president — appears almost redundant if Rahul Gandhi’s unmistakable status as the supreme leader of the party is taken into consideration.

While a functional head of the main Opposition party is an absolute necessity and the confusion has doubtless inflicted immense damage on the Congress, what is not open to dispute is the supremacy of Rahul at this critical juncture of politics in India.

While every speaker at a rally in New Delhi on Sunday on price rise wove the political narrative around Rahul’s leadership, a banner that caught everybody’s attention read: “We want Rahul Gandhi as AICC president.”“The question is irrelevant now, at least in the minds of Congress workers who attended today’s rally. The one and only leader is Rahul Gandhi,” said a party functionary, insisting that “he has acquired a status that is above the post of party president”.

Another AICC member from Delhi echoed this sentiment, saying: “The party president is now just a formality, an organisational arrangement. We don’t mind even if the new party chief acts under Rahul’s guidance.”The attitude of Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, tipped to be Congress president if Rahul ultimately resists the overwhelming pressure to take over, demonstrated the same spirit. Repeatedly arguing that he won’t speak much because everybody was waiting to hear Rahul, Gehlot told the rally: “Rahul Gandhi is leading a historic Bharat Jodo Yatra. We all have to support him, to strengthen his hand. Every state should take out rallies in support of the yatra over the next five months.”Portraying Rahul as the supreme leader of the Congress, Gehlot said: “The situation is grim in the country; constitutional rule has been blown to smithereens. But the Prime Minister won’t even issue an appeal for peace and harmony. The difference between his words and deeds is astonishing. (Narendra) Modi misled the people with false promises. But the credibility of the Nehru-Gandhi family is more than the Prime Minister’s even as he wins elections. They command more respect.”The Congress is to get its new president in October but it is Rahul who will continue to lead the Bharat Jodo Yatra in a clear message that his position is not going to be affected by any change. Every single speaker at Sunday’s rally projected Rahul as the leader. Both Sonia Gandhi, the interim president of the Congress, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were not present at the rally as they are still abroad. Rahul will kick off the Gujarat campaign on Monday in another indication of who is the boss in the party.Many Congress workers and leaders who came from outside Delhi on Sunday pleaded with Rahul to take the reins of the party. He didn’t respond but showed no qualms about being treated as the supreme leader. Over the past few months, Rahul has responded to requests from colleagues on the question of party president by saying: “You all elect a president. I am there to help the party, to fight this regime.” There is, however, no denying the fact that over 95 per cent party workers want him as president.

Sunday’s rally, held barely three days before the Bharat Jodo Yatra begins from Kanyakumari, has emboldened the top leadership because of the overwhelming response. Congress leaders said such a successful rally had been held in Delhi after years as meticulous planning ensured participation of workers from all over the country. While Delhi contributed hugely in the mobilisation of crowds, Rajasthan and Haryana also sent in significant numbers of people. Party functionaries said thousands of people and leaders came from various states on their own. Every block and district president, MLA, office-bearer and AICC member had been invited.