Why did the early nationalists persuade Dadabhai Naoroji to preside over the Kolkata Session of the Congress in 1906?

Dadabhai Naoroji's Presidentship of the Congress in 1906 was memorable in many ways. The partition of Bengal in 1905 had very sadly disillusioned the early nationalists. Their power and prestige were on the decline. They, therefore, persuaded Dadabhai to preside over the Kolkata Session of the Congress in 1906. Dadabhai's name and fame made it difficult for the assertive nationalists to oppose his candidature, although they would have liked Tilak to hold that office.