As per the sources Rahul Gandhi's insistence on stepping down as party president after the poll debacle. The decision is said to be taken in the wake of party's rout in Lok Sabha polls. However former MP V Hanumantha Rao on Wednesday urged him to continue to lead the party in times of difficulty.

He quoted saying "that Gandhi should listen to all sections of partymen to know the views of all. I feel it is not justified for our leader Rahul Gandhi to say that 'I cannot continue, you have someone else as president' due to the pain of losing recent Lok Sabha elections."

Asked about Gandhi's reported comments some senior leaders devoted time to their children at the cost of party's interests, Rao said he was happy that the party president realised it.

He said "We are urging from Telangana PCC. We have complete confidence in the leadership of Rahul Gandhiji. Our desire is that he should continue as AICC president."

He recalled that the Congress lost in 1977 but bounced back to power in 1980. Citing the example of TRS in Telangana, Rao, known to be a loyalist of Nehru-Gandhi family, said change is inevitable.

TRS had swept the Telangana Assembly polls held in December last year, but it received unexpected results in Lok Sabha polls