'Waiting For A Long Time For This': Sonia Gandhi, Others Cast Vote During 'Historic' Congress President Poll

Congress President Poll: Sonia Gandhi, the interim president of the Congress, voted in the party's elections to choose her successor on Monday.

After years of internal conflicts and pandemic-led delay, the Congress presidential elections are finally taking place today. Highlighting the moment as historic, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Ghelot on Monday said: "Today is a historic day, the election for Congress president is taking place today after 22 years. This election gives the message of internal harmony in the party. My relation with Gandhi family will be same even after 19 Oct (day of counting of votes)."

Speaking about the election atmosphere in Karnataka, state Congress president DK Shivakumar said: "It is a historic day for the Congress party. 490 people voting here today; polling going on in a transparent way. The country will benefit from this."

Asserting confidence regarding the polls, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said: "The fate of the Congress party is in the hands of party workers. The odds have been stacked against us as the party leaders and establishment were overwhelmingly with the other candidate." 

"I believe the revival of Congress has begun. I have told Kharge, whatever happened, we remain colleagues and friends," Tharoor added. 

The voting for the Congress presidential elections is currently underway, PTI reported. The voting procedure, which began about 10 a.m., will conclude at 4 p.m. 

Speaking about polls, the Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi stated: "I have been waiting for a long time for this thing."

Sonia Gandhi, the interim president of the Congress, voted in the party's elections to choose her successor on Monday. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the general secretary of the Congress, voted alongside her mother Sonia Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi stated that she has been waiting for this for a long time when asked by reporters about the polls.

The results are expected to be announced on October 19. Over 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates who make up the electoral college for electing the party's head will decide the fate of the Congress party. Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor, senior party leaders, are the sole contenders in the race.

(With Inputs From Agencies)