Party president election process 'rigged': Congress leader Shehzad Poonawalla over Rahul's elevation

"The election is a selection, and not an election. It's a sham election process," he quipped.

Poonawalla had earlier told the media he would want to contest the election if it was conducted in a genuine manner. Adding to this, he stated, "I think there should be only one ticket in one family, be it Shehzad Poonawalla or Rahul Gandhi."

According to an IANS report, In his letter to Rahul Gandhi, Poonawalla raised several questions.

"Firstly, a common party worker like me joined the party in 2008-09. I spent time, energy and money working voluntarily for the party at all levels and finally got elevated after eight years to the position of a Secretary in a state unit in 2016.

"But how and why (other than your surname) did you in the same time span start off with an MP seat in 2004 itself, get general secretaryship in 2007 and then graduate to vice presidentship of the national unit while your mother was the President?" he wrote.

"Did you win us more elections, were you genuinely elected to these posts, did you give better speeches than other leaders? You must therefore resign from the VP post and contest as an ordinary member for the election of the president. How can it be a fair contest if a common worker has to contest against the VP (who was selected and not elected as the VP or the number two in the party)?" he said.

"Since the delegate system is completely rigged and manipulated, for a fair fight for the presidentship, will you allow real delegates to get appointed and vote rather than a bunch of handpicked 'yes' men?

"If not, will you at least face your rival in a televised debate to see who articulates a better vision for the Congress party and India? Will you allow yourself to be judged on merit rather than your surname? If yes, let's have that contest. I am ready."

The Congress leader further said: "You failed to deliver on the promise that IYC, NSUI won't end up electing children of 'netas'. Will you at least now curb the innumerable dynasts who are given tickets and posts in the party by implementing the rule - one ticket/post to only one member in any family?

"So if I have a party ticket or post - my brother, sister, mother, brother-in-law, etc., cannot be eligible for a ticket or post. We are not into some family business, are we?" his letter read.

Earlier yesterday, Poonawalla, claiming that the poll process to elect the Congress president has been stacked in Rahul's favour just because he belongs to the Gandhi family, took to Twitter and said, "Raising an issue nobody in my party - the Congress will have guts to raise- my conscience will not allow me to stay quiet anymore on Dynasty/ sycophancy."

He also tagged his brother, Tehseen Poonawalla, in his tweet, and wrote, "@tehseenp has no idea about this issue else he would have stopped me too."

Tehseen is married to Rahul's brother-in-law Robert Vadra's sister Monicka.

Tehseen responded through a tweet and said, "I am stunned with what @Shehzad_Ind is doing at the time @INCIndia is winning Gujarat. I officially give up all relationship with him politically. The congress needs @OfficeOfRG to be the president."

In a series of tweets, Tehseen announced to end his relationship with Shehzad "officially."

"I officially end all relationship with @Shehzad_Ind . I have never been this hurt. We needed to defeat the BJP. This is unacceptable . Im very very hurt today . Been stabbed in the back ..And how," he posted.

Meanwhile, Poonawalla's move triggered various kinds of reactions from the Twitterati.

Poonawalla responded by tweeting a quote by Martin Luther King that implied he was simply following his conscience.

"I know from tomorrow all kinds of stories will start - I will be targeted :) I am an active Maharashtra Congress Secretary & nobody had any problems till today but new stories to target me will come :) prepared for it- I want Non Dynasts & Merit over Dynasty !! Am I wrong?" he tweeted.