Shashi Tharoor’s Appeal: ‘If You Want Congress To Function Differently, Vote For Me’

New Delhi: The battle lines are drawn in the election for Congress president – it’s Shashi Tharoor versus Mallikarjun Kharge.

Tharoor made the choice clear for Congress members, who will vote on October 17.

“All I am telling the members is that if you’re satisfied with the functioning of the party, please vote for Kharge sahab. But if you want a change, choose me.. If you want the party to function differently,” the Member of Parliament from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram told ANI on Saturday.

He reiterated that the presidential election isn’t a battle.

“This is not a war. We can belong to different schools of thoughts. Let the members decide,” Tharoor said.

The 80-year-old Kharge came into the picture after Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot pulled out of the race after apologizing to Sonia Gandhi for the revolt by a bunch of MLAs supporting him.

Kharge, who resigned as the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha on Saturday, is believed to be the party high command’s choice as more than 30 leaders backed his candidature.

“There is no ideological problem here. Whatever the message has been of the Congress so far will continue to remain,” Tharoor said.

The Gandhis have stayed away from contesting in the election, despite several senior leaders wanting Rahul to take up the post.