Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday conceded defeat in the Congress presidential election to Mallikarjun Kharge. While Kharge got 7,897 votes, Tharoor got about 1,000 votes and 416 votes were rejected. Karti Chidambaram, the counting agent for Tharoor, declared after the counting process was over that Kharge won the polls and the Kerala MP got 1,072 votes.
Kharge would be the first non-Gandhi president in 24 years. “It is a great honor and a huge responsibility to be the President of @INCIndia and I wish @Kharge ji all the best in this assignment. It has been a privilege to have the support of over a thousand colleagues and carry the hopes and aspirations of so many Congress supporters across India,” Tharoor tweeted.
“The decision of the party delegates is final and I humbly accept it. It is a privilege to be a member of a party that allows its workers to elect their president,” Tharoor said. “Our new president is a party colleague and senior who brings a wealth of leadership and experience. Under his leadership, I am confident that together we can take the party to new heights,” Tharoor added.
Tharoor said the party owes an “irreparable debt” to outgoing president Sonia Gandhi for her quarter-century at the helm of the party and for being an anchor in our most important moments. “Her decision to endorse this electoral process, which has given us new paths to the future, is undoubtedly a fitting testament to her foresight and vision for our party. I hope she will continue to guide, motivate and inspire the party’s new leadership team in overcoming the challenges ahead, Tharoor said.
He also thanked former President Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for doing their bit to promote free and neutral elections. “The Nehru-Gandhi family has and will always hold a special place in the hearts of members of the Congress Party – and for good reason,” he said. Over 9,500 delegates cast their votes in the presidential election, which took place at the height of the party’s organizational polls. The President-elect will take charge after Diwali in the presence of senior leaders at a program at the Congress headquarters.
Read Now :UN Secretary paid tribute to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
