Amid reports that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Shashi Tharoor have surfaced as leading contenders in the Congress' race for presidential polls, the party's communication in-charge, Jairam Ramesh, tweeted on Tuesday that "anybody can run in the presidential polls" and that "nobody, especially the party's leadership," needs "anybody's nod."
Taking to Twitter, Ramesh stated: "Entire party is immersed in making #BharatJodoYatra a success. Even so it’s important to reiterate that any member is welcome to contest for Congress President. This is a democratic & transparent process. Nobody needs anybody's nod to contest, especially that of party leadership."
Congress will choose its new president in October, when pivotal presidential elections will be conducted to select Sonia Gandhi's successor. The BJP and others have frequently chastised the party for its dynastic politics, accusing it of failing to look beyond the Gandhis.
When Shashi Tharoor paid a visit to Sonia Gandhi on Monday, he was told that the election would be "fair and transparent," and that anyone wishing to run may do so.
Tharoor, one of the party's G-23 members, had called for broad reforms in Congress. He is now expected to enter the campaign for the top party seat, for which polling will take place on October 17.
Additionally, Tharoor and Gehlot's names have surfaced at a time when numerous state units have called for Rahul Gandhi's return to the presidency. In Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot has also endorsed a similar resolution. Rahul Gandhi, on the other hand, has stated that he "has made the decision on the matter plain."
The next Congress president would have several problems, including re-establishing the party's hold on power ahead of the 2024 national elections.