Notification issued for election of Congress president

The notification for the election of the Congress President was issued on Thursday, with a contest between two leaders likely after a gap 22 years.

Nominations will be filed between September 24-30, and scrutiny of nominations will be held on October 1.

The nominations can be withdrawn till 3 pm on October 8, and the first list of candidates will be published at 5 pm on the same day.

If there are more than one nominations, the election will be held on October 17 and counting will be held on October 19 after which the results will be declared.

With indications that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is unlikely to take the post, a contest appears likely between Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and three-time MP from Thiruananthpuram, Shashi Tharoor.

Tharoor had held a meeting with Congress’ central election authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry and enquired about the electoral roll and procedure of filing nomination.

Gehlot, who was called to Delhi, met Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday. Gehlot told reporters he would file nominations if he is asked by the party.

Gehlot also said that he will continue as the Rajasthan chief minister, sending indications that the ‘one person, one post’ policy may be altered for him if he gets the top post.

Gehlot is being seen as the preferred choice of the Congress President, even as party leaders said she has made it clear that she will not take any side.

Various Congress office bearers have clarified that the elections are open to all Congress leaders to fight.

UNI