New Delhi: Amid reports of Shashi Tharoor withdrawing from the upcoming Congress presidential election, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram clarified on Saturday that he’s not one to withdraw from a challenge.
“There are rumours going around – attributed to sources in Delhi – that I am withdrawing today. Let me assure you, I don’t withdraw from a challenge. Never have all my life… never will. This is a struggle. It’s a friendly contest within the party, but it is a fight to the finish. And I’m here to stay the course,” Tharoor said in a video message.
Tharoor earlier claimed that some party leaders had asked Rahul Gandhi to seek withdrawal of the former’s candidature.
“He (Rahul) told me he will not do so. He said I should not withdraw and that I should contest in the election… He reminded me that he has been saying so for the past 10 years that there should be a contest for the party chief’s post,” Tharoor said.
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Challenger Mallikarjun Kharge had told Tharoor that there should be a consensus candidate, but the latter didn’t agree.
With Saturday being the last day for withdrawal of nominations, the stage is set for a Tharoor versus Kharge battle on October 17, when 9,000-plus Pradesh Congress Committee delegates will vote.
Counting of votes will be taken up on October 19 and the result will be declared the same day.
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