Kerala: As the battle for the post of Congress president intensifies, Rajasthan Chief Minister and an aspirant of the post Ashok Gehlot told the media in Kerala that Rahul Gandhi had told him that nobody from the Gandhi family should become the next party president.
“I had told him several times to accept the request of the Pradesh Congress Committees to become the party president but he had told me that although he respects what they said, he will not run for the post. In fact, he told me that nobody from the Gandhi family will become the president,” Gehlot said.
Adding that the Opposition should be strong, Gehlot said he will soon file his nomination for the election. He and Shahi Tharoor are being seen as the main contenders of the post.
Also Read: ‘One person, one post’ rule to be followed: Rahul Gandhi on Congress presidential polls
Amid his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday had said the ‘one person, one post’ rule is expected to be followed in the party. This came ahead of the Congress presidential polls.
Addressing a press conference in Kerala, Gandhi said, “What we had decided in Udaipur (one person, one post) is a commitment of the Congress party and I expect that commitment will be maintained.” Gandhi was referring to the Congress president polls.
His claim came in the backdrop of Congress election authority chief Madhusudan Mistry who on Wednesday said, “In our (party) constitution, there is nothing like one man, one post. Anyone can contest the election.” Mistry was reacting to news about Shashi Tharoor and Ashok Gehlot announcing their willingness to run for the post.
The election for the post of Congress president is slated to be held on October 17 and the counting of votes will be done on October 19.
