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 t
hat 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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