New Delhi, Aug 11 (TIWN) The spectre of a split in the country's oldest political party was looming at the Congress Working Committee meeting on Saturday as leaders got emotional at the mention of a non-Gandhi to lead the Congress.

 It had to be a Gandhi, and no one else. Some leaders even threatened to sit at home rather than attend party meetings under a non-Gandhi.

That decided the matter, and party seniors, including Ahmed Patel, approached former President Sonia Gandhi to lead the party yet again.  Sonia Gandhi, who has not been keeping good health, was surprised at the CWC recommending her name as interim President.  "You have suddenly come up with this idea. I am not ready for it," she told the party leaders, according to a senior leader who was present at the deliberations.