Congress President Election: Notification Issued. Will Contest Be Between Tharoor, Gehlot & Digvijaya?

The notification for the Congress President's election has been issued. Several contenders are believed to have emerged for the spot including Shashi Tharoor, Ashok Gehlot, and Digvijaya Singh.

Congress leaders MP Shashi Tharoor (L), Ashok Gehlot (C), and Digvijaya Singh (R). ( Image Source :PTI | Getty Images )

New Delhi: The notification for the election of the Congress President's post was issued on Thursday and with this, the process of choosing the person who will hold the highest office of the country's oldest political party will formally begin.

This notification will be issued by the Central Election Authority headed by senior party leader Madhusudan Mistry.

As per the announced schedule for the election of Congress President, after the notification, the process of filing nominations will go on from September 24 to 30. 

The date of scrutiny of the nomination papers would be October 1. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 8. In case of more than one candidate, voting will be held on October 17 and results will be declared on October 19.

Digvijaya Singh To Become Contender For Congress President Election?

Meanwhile, several contenders are believed to have emerged for the spot. Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor met Sonia Gandhi on Monday and is said to have expressed his desire for running for the post. As Tharoor expressed his intention to contest the upcoming AICC president polls, the Congress chief conveyed that she would stay "neutral" in the elections, PTI reported citing sources.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot indicated that he could throw his hat in the ring if former president Rahul Gandhi does not agree to take on the party's reins.

Gehlot also met Sonia Gandhi and according to PTI sources, he conveyed to Sonia Gandhi that he will try to convince Rahul to take on the post of party chief and that it was time for him to lead the Congress as he is already combating the Modi government.

In the latest update, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh will reach Delhi today. He is likely to meet party interim president Sonia Gandhi and is a likely contender for the post of party president, news agency ANI reported citing sources.

Congress Party's State Units Seek Rahul Gandhi's Comeback

Notably, the Congress party's state units in Punjab and Telangana on Wednesday passed a resolution backing Rahul Gandhi for the post of the party president.

Around a dozen Pradesh Congress Committees have so far come out in support of Gandhi, even as it appears that after over two decades, the Congress is likely to see a contest for the post of party chief.

Haryana and Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) on Tuesday joined the chorus favouring Rahul Gandhi to take over as party chief.

Earlier, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Jammu Kashmir units of the party supported Rahul.

The party's General Secretary Jairam Ramesh had clarified that such resolutions have no binding effect.

"But nobody asked anyone to pass any resolution. The Congress party workers are enthusiastic. Rahul Gandhi has not asked anyone to pass any resolution. The Congress president has not asked anyone," he said on Tuesday.

"They have been watching Gandhi walking for the past 13 days. They know the pain he is undergoing every day. They all can relate to him. It's natural that they pass the resolution. But the resolution has no binding effect," Ramesh mentioned, referring to the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

According to PTI, Ashok Gehlot is considered a frontrunner for the post as he is perceived to be having the backing and confidence of the present dispensation while the odds are heavily stacked against Shashi Tharoor, a member of the G-23 dissident group that had raised hackles in the party over its criticism of the current leadership.

Rahul Gandhi quit the post of Congress President in 2019 after the Lok Sabha polls debacle. Sonia Gandhi was named interim president and has remained the grand old party's chief as the polls were delayed further by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The party last saw a contest for the post in November 2000. Jitendra Prasada lost to Sonia Gandhi in 2000.

(With Agency Inputs)