India, June 14 -- Party projects Rahul Gandhi as fulcrum for broader opposition consolidation efforts.

Following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections and the growing turmoil within the Trinamool Congress, the Congress party believes it has strengthened its position as the principal opposition force and emerged as the central pillar of the opposition alliance.

Amid the rebellion within the Trinamool Congress and setbacks faced by several regional parties in their respective states, senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot suggested that regional parties which originally emerged from the Congress should consider reuniting with the grand old party and rallying behind Rahul Gandhi's leadership to s...