New Delhi: In the final count, it is Shashi Tharoor vs. Mallikarjun Kharge in the race for Congress president. Veteran leader Digvijaya Singh opted out, leaving Shashi Tharoor as the only other candidate, until Congress veteran KC Venugopal conveyed to Kharge that the leadership wants him to contest. The Gandhis have said they will remain neutral.
Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to resign as Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha in line with the Congress’s “one person, one post” rule.
Both Kharge and Tharoor are expected to file their nomination today before the 3 pm deadline.
Earlier, Ashok Gehlot was seen as the first choice of the Gandhis for the top post until his chances were damaged by the rebellion by his loyalists who said they would not accept Sachin Pilot, who had rebelled against him in 2020, as his replacement as the Chief Minister. Sonia Gandhi will decide soon whether Gehlot will remain Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
This is the first Congress president election in more than 20 years with non-Gandhis in the contest. The Gandhis have refused to contest making way for other senior leaders to head the party.
The election will take place on October 17.
