All are welcome to fight Rahul for party chief’s post: Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress said leaders wishing to challenge Rahul Gandhi for the post of party presidentship were welcome to file nominations even as it tipped the Gandhi scion to succeed Sonia Gandhi at the top. With the date for organisational elections and the likely elevation of Rahul approaching, Congress stressed on "internal democracy" and precedents when the top post had been contested.

It cited the example of late Jitendra Prasada who had challenged Sonia Gandhi. When asked if Congress would entertain a challenge to Rahul Gandhi, AICC spokesman Randeep Surjewala said the party functioned with robust internal democracy.

"Congress has never shied away from a democratic challenge inside the party. Indira Gandhi successfully fought that challenge and actually it started long, long ago when Mahatma Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose contested against each other.

Let me remind you a page from history --be it Indira Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi, many times the party has seen unanimity and many times it has seen a contest," he said. However, Surjewala underlined that Rahul was the workers' choice to assume the party reins.

"Rahul continues to remain the unquestioned choice of every Congress leader for being the president. He is democratic enough, and the party is resilient enough, to welcome anybody to come and aspire for any post in the party, including the post of president.