With the election for the post of Congress President approaching closer, the possibility of a contest for the top post of the country’s oldest party has increased. This is because even Rahul Gandhi has indicated that he will not take over the reins of the party.
Some senior party leaders may be insisting on a consensus, but Shashi Tharoor on Monday met Sonia Gandhi and told her about his desire to contest the elections. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is also showing signs of entering the electoral battle. The possibility of some other contenders also announcing that they will contest the elections cannot be ruled out.
If there is an election for the post of Congress President, then history will be repeated after 22 years. Let us tell you in the year 2000, there was a contest between Sonia Gandhi and Jitendra Prasad, in which Prasad had to face a crushing defeat. In 1997, there was a contest between Sitaram Kesari, Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot for the post of President, in which Sitaram Kesari won.
After senior Congress leader Tharoor met Sonia Gandhi, the possibility increased that he would contest the elections. Sources say that he met party president Sonia Gandhi on Monday and told her about his desire to contest for the post of president. Sonia said that it is better for the party to have many candidates standing in this election and their role in this will be neutral.
Sources said that during this meeting, she also rejected the notion that there would be an official candidate from the party in this election. On the other hand, after Tharoor’s meeting with Sonia, the Congress said that anyone can contest elections and this has been the stand of the party leadership.
Some sources close to the Congress say that Gehlot could also be a candidate and if this happens, his claim would be the strongest given the Gandhi family’s trustworthiness and long political experience. Gehlot said that he would try to persuade Rahul Gandhi to contest the elections.
The notification for the election will be issued on September 22 and the process of filing nominations will go on from September 24 to 30. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 8. In case of more than one candidate, voting will be held on October 17 and results will be declared on October 19.
