Rahul Gandhi is unlikely to leave the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' midway and contest the upcoming Congress presidential election, party sources told ABP News. Presently, the yatra is going on in Kerala and it will enter Karnataka on September 29. The last date for filing nomination for the Congress presidential polls is September 30.
The development comes amid growing clamour within the Congress to make Rahul Gandhi president of the party again. About half a dozen state units have sought his elevation to the top post.
Rahul Gandhi was elevated as the Congress president in 2017. Gandhi, however, stepped down in 2019 after the party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elections.
Earlier this month, Rahul Gandhi said he had made his decision on whether he would take up the party presidency but did not divulge his plans. He even asserted that he would give his reasons if he did not contest the election.
The process for filing of nominations for the election will be held from September 24 to 30. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 8 and the election, if required, will be held on October 17. The results will be out on October 19.
READ | Shashi Tharoor To Run For Congress President After Sonia Gandhi Gives Her Approval: Report
Congress is likely to see a contest for the post of party chief after Shashi Tharoor on Monday received the nod from Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi to run for the post. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is being seen as the other contender.
Tharoor met Sonia Gandhi on Monday and expressed his intention to contest the poll. The Congress president is learnt to have conveyed to Tharoor that she would stay "neutral" in the elections.
In his meeting with Sonia Gandhi, Tharoor said he could make internal democracy stronger, ANI reported.
Earlier in the day, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said anybody was welcome to contest the Congress president's poll, which would be free and fair as well as transparent.
"Whoever wants to file a nomination, can file it. We have said it will be an open election, anybody can contest, free and fair election, definitely it will be a transparent election," PTI quoted Venugopal as saying after meeting Sonia Gandhi at her 10 Janpath residence.