Party officials appear divided on who should be supported in the election for the top position as Congress prepares to choose its new party president between Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor. Ashok Gehlot, the chief minister of Rajasthan, supported Congress veteran Mallikarjun Kharge, claiming that Shashi Tharoor is a member of the "upper class."
After the Rajasthan debacle, Gehlot declared his retirement from the Congress presidential contest, according to a PTI report, "Mallikarjun Kharge has the experience to strengthen the Congress and would emerge as a clear winner in the party presidential poll."
ALSO READ: United States, Australia, and Japan promise to cooperate against China
In an apparent show of strength, Kharge arrived at the party headquarters on Friday to submit his nomination with about 30 top party leaders in attendance. Kharge, a seasoned Congressman from Karnataka who is reportedly supported by the Gandhis, has emerged as the overwhelming favourite to become the next Congress President.
When Kharge submitted his nomination so soon before the deadline, Ashok Gehlot was one of the numerous prominent figures who might be seen by his side.
Gehlot told reporters on Sunday after paying respects to Mahatma Gandhi, "Kharge has a long political experience. He has a clean heart, he comes from the Dalit community and (Kharge contesting election) is being welcomed everywhere."
ALSO READ: US gas suppliers stand to gain significantly from Nord Stream pipeline damage
CONTEST FOR KHARGE, ONE-SIDED
The chief minister of Rajasthan also made the point that Kharge has the kind of experience the party needs to grow, noting that the election will unavoidably be a one-sided one.
"Tharoor is a class apart; he is from elite class but the kind of experience which is needed to strengthen the party at booth, block and district levels, that is with Kharge and cannot be compared to Shashi Tharoor,” he said “Therefore, it will naturally be a one-sided contest for Kharge,” he was quoted by PTI as saying.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP also disclosed the names of party officials who have supported his candidacy on Saturday. Former Union ministers Mohsina Kidwai and Saifuddin Soz, as well as lawmakers Karti Chidambaram, Pradyut Bordoloi, MK Raghavan, Mohammad Jawaid, and G-23 leader Sandeep Dikshit, are among the names on the list.
#WATCH | Congress presidential candidate Shashi Tharoor says, "This isn't a battle...Let party workers choose, that's our message. I'm saying that if you're satisfied with party's working,vote for Kharge sahab. If you want change, I'm there. But there's no ideological problem..." pic.twitter.com/N2pHXzY0BM
ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2022
ALSO READ: Congress Prez polls: Mallikarjun Kharge quits as RS Leader of Opposition
THAROOR'S APPLICATION FOR THE TOP POST
The Nagpur region of Maharashtra is where Shashi Tharoor launched his campaign. He stated this in a tweet, “I present my 60 nominees. 12 states, all levels of leadership but all proud @INCIndia workers. I thank them & the thousands of workers they represent for the faith they have placed in me. Thanks, my Parliamentary colleagues, for your unwavering support.”
He has been emphasising the need for change on social media by utilising the hashtag "#ThinkTharoorThinkTomorrow" for his campaign.
The 66-year-old stressed that their confrontation with Kharge was "not a battle," “But for those who are satisfied with the party functioning should choose Kharge Sahab, and those who want change should choose me.”
Following the rejection of KN Tripathi's nomination for the Congress presidential election on Saturday, party heavyweights Kharge and Tharoor are now in the running. Tripathi was a former minister for Jharkhand.
According to sources, Kharge has resigned from his role as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. If necessary, the election will be placed on October 17. On October 19, the vote-counting process will begin, and the results will be announced that same day.