Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot emerged this week as a possible Congress presidential candidate in next month’s elections. If confirmed, the Gandhi family loyalist will join former union minister Shashi Tharoor – a prominent member of a group of dissident senior leaders who challenge the Gandhis’ leadership – in the race to replace interim chief Sonia Gandhi and give the opposition body its first non-member. Gandhi leader for nearly 25 years.
However, Gehlot’s candidature is yet to be confirmed and sources close to the veteran say Rahul Gandhi remains his first choice; The Rajasthan unit of the Congress on Saturday passed a resolution calling for his return. Gehlot visited Sonia Gandhi in Delhi a few weeks ago.
Tharoor’s candidature was confirmed. The Lok Sabha MP from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram met Sonia Gandhi in Delhi on Monday – shortly after supporting a petition calling for reforms within the party – and was assured of “fair and transparent” elections and confirmation that anyone can file nominations.
A senior leader (on condition of anonymity) told Hindustan Times that Sonia Gandhi “made it very clear that (a) there will be real elections and anyone who wants to can run for president”. Perhaps significantly, Sonia Gandhi also said there would be no party candidate. The elections are scheduled for October 17, the results will be known two days later.
However, Tharoor’s journey to the presidency was complicated by reports that Gehlot might also run; the Chief Minister of Rajasthan is a Gandhian devotee and has often defended Rahul Gandhi and family from criticism. This includes those from the ranks of the parties. He is likely to be backed by those campaigning for Rahul Gandhi – who has been coy this week about his possible return.
Rahul Gandhi is leading the Congress ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in Kerala and after his second term, he said, “…it will be clear when the elections are held”. Submission of nominations for the elections begins on September 22. will be held amid much controversy as several senior leaders have left the party over the past year – a period in which the party has also lost several elections as critics have issued repeated warnings. The latest was former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Azad.
Meanwhile, as the election date nears, calls for Rahul Gandhi’s return are growing stronger. At least seven state units of the Congress — including Rajasthan and poll-bound Gujarat — have passed resolutions to this effect over the past few days. The last Congress chief other than Gandhi was Sitaram Kesari. Sonia Gandhi took charge in March 1998 and returned to the post after Rahul Gandhi retired in 2019.
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