Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by former prime minister Manmohan Singh, arrives at Congress headquarters in New Delhi. (Source: Express photo by Anil Sharma)
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday filed his nomination for the post of president of the Indian National Congress, ending speculation over when he will take complete charge of the Congress Party. The new Congress president will take over from Sonia Gandhi who has been the party’s longest-serving chief. She was appointed president in 1998.
Since late last evening, several Congress state leaders have been arriving in the national capital to participate in the election to the office of party president. It is expected that over 70 sets of nominations will be filed. The nomination process will conclude at 3 pm, following which an announcement is likely to be made on the new party chief. If another candidate files his or her nomination, then the party’s returning officer will announce a date for the election.
PHOTOS | Rahul Gandhi files nomination papers
READ | Rahul Gandhi files nomination for Congress president post, set to be elected unopposed
Congress president election LIVE updates:
3.30 pm: In the likelihood of someone within the party mounting an unexpected challenge to Rahul Gandhi’s elevation, then an election will be held on December 16 and counting of votes will take place on December 19.
3.20 pm: Five-time Olympian and former Indian shooter, Abhinav Bindra tweeted his best wishes to Rahul Gandhi. “Wishing @OfficeOfRG the best for his new role! A strong and meaningful opposition most necessary for a healthy democracy. Good luck,” he said.
3.10 pm: TV reports indicate that the Congress is likely to make a “big announcement” at 3.30 pm. No prizes for guessing, it obviously has something to do with the party presidential election.
3.00 pm: National Conference leader and former J&K chief minister, Farooq Abdullah on Rahul Gandhi’s expected elevation to post of party president: “This is a good sign that the young brigade is stepping forward. I hope he takes India to great heights where everyone lives in harmony. The post of PM lies in distant future, for now, he must work hard to unite India and bring everyone together.”
2.45 pm: As the 3 pm deadline for submission of nomination papers nears, it appears Rahul Gandhi is set to be elected unopposed to post of party president. Unless, of course, there is a last-minute hitch in the election process.
2.00 pm: With Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh away in Kerala, top Himachal Pradesh Congress leaders led by PCC president Sukhwinder Sukhu and senior minister Vidya Stokes on Monday filed nomination papers proposing the name of Rahul Gandhi for the party president post.
PCC president Sukhu said two sets of papers backing Rahul Gandhi’s candidature were filed by the Congress leaders who have been camping in New Delhi for the last two days.
1.45 pm: #IndiawithRahulGandhi is currently the top most Twitter trend in India with a host of party leaders, workers and admirers rushing to extend their wishes even as the election nomination process is still underway.
1.30 pm: Reacting to PM Modi’s remarks at BJP rally in Gujarat, senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said: “Don’t compare both, during Mughal rule it was understood that after Jehangir, Aurangzeb will be the leader but here anyone is free to contest against Rahul Gandhi, its a totally democratic process.”
PM Modi, citing Aiyar, had accused the Congress of engaging in dynastic politics. .”..after Shahjahan it was understood Aurangzeb will be the leader’. So Congress accepts it’s a family party? We don’t want this Aurangzeb rule,” he said.
1.15 pm: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also criticised Rahul Gandhi’s expected elevation. “Congress has become a burden on this nation, now would be good if after Rahul ji’s elevation once and for all this burden is removed,” Yogi Adityanath was quoted by ANI as saying.
1.00 pm: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also attacked Rahul Gandhi and the Congress over the party president election process. “He (Rahul Gandhi) is the owner of the party. His elevation and nomination are their personal matter. They are forced to make this arrangement (election) because of the regulations of EC. However, no democracy is left inside such a big party,” Dharmendra Pradhan was quoted as saying by ANI.
12.50 pm: Wishes are pouring in for Rahul Gandhi as he is set to take over the party reins.
Former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted: “As @OfficeOfRG files his nomination to take over the Grand Old Party of India I wish him all the very best going ahead. Expectations are high, challenges are numerous & I pray for his success.”
Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge, Raj Babbar also tweeted his wishes. “Heartiest Congratulations to our beloved leader Rahul Gandhiji. Your Honesty & Simplicity as a leader has always inspired us. Under your leadership, we are sure our party will be a bigger vehicle of change & well-being for the people of India,” he said.
12.40 pm: Attacking the Congress’ president election process, PM Modi, speaking at a public rally in Gujarat, said: “Mani Shankar Aiyar said that ‘did elections happen during Mughal rule? After Jehangir, Shahjahan came, was any election held? After Shahjahan it was understood Aurangzeb will be the leader’. So Congress accepts it’s a family party? We don’t want this Aurangzeb rule.”
12.30 pm: Meanwhile, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi mocked Rahul Gandhi on his expected elevation to the post of party president. “I congratulate Rahul Gandhi for his promotion without performance, can only be possible in a feudal setup,” Naqvi told ANI.
12.20 pm: Rahul Gandhi earlier met former president of India Pranab Mukherjee and sought his blessings before filing his nomination papers. Images of his visit were shared on Twitter by Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.
(Source: Randeep Surjewala/Twitter)
12.10 pm: Congress leader and MP, Jyotiraditya Scindia is speaking to NDTV’s Sunetra Choudhury.
Scindia brushed aside suggestions on Rahul Gandhi finally being ready to take over the reins of the Congress party. “He (Rahul Gandhi) has been leading us from the front on various issues like farmers issue, GST, demonetisation…he believes in staying with issues over the long run. He is a marathon runner. You have seen that in the last six to eight months,” Scindia said.
On allegations of nepotism, Scindia said: “We are following the election commission’s dikatat…probably the only party in the country to have put together a formal election process. They (leaders) are more than happy to throw their hat in the ring, why don’t they do so?”
He countered the BJP’s criticism saying “it (Rahul’s election) is causing them (BJP) great irritation as the Congress party is on the right path…When was the last time a BJP president was elected through an election process? In last 60-70 years, the answer is pretty clear. There is only one electoral authority in the BJP and we all know who it is.”
12 noon: Rahul’s elevation as president comes two weeks before election results to the states of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat are announced. Rahul has campaigned extensively in Gujarat and the party’s performance in the state is likely to be an indicator of his leadership as this will be the first election results since his taking charge.
11.50 am: Congratulatory messages are pouring in for Rahul Gandhi even as the election process is underway. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tweeted a message for the likely new party chief. Former Union minister Chidambaram, too, had good wishes for the new leader. “As Mr Rahul Gandhi files his nomination, I wish him the very best as Congress President,” Chidambaram said.
Congratulations, Shri Rahul Gandhi @OfficeOfRG on filing nomination papers for election of post of President of @INCIndia.
I am confident that the party will renew itself with greater vigour& scale new heights under your able leadership. I wish you success!#IndiaWithRahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/MtYoWPEkUH— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) December 4, 2017
11.45 am: As the nomination process continues, hundreds of party workers have gathered outside the party headquarters — 24, Akbar Road — chanting slogans in support of Rahul Gandhi. The demand for Rahul’s elevation as party chief has been doing the rounds since before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, but Rahul has appeared to have reluctant to step up to the post. His mother Sonia, would often respond that the decision to become party president was left with him.
11.40 am: POLL | Will Rahul’s appointment as Congress chief see the party draw more support from India’s youth?
11.35 am: Here’s a picture of Rahul Gandhi signing his first set of nomination papers in the presence of top Congress leaders including former prime minister Manmohan Singh
Rahul Gandhi with senior Congress leaders at the party HQ in New Delhi.
11. 30 am: Meanwhile, expressing his dissent at the party’s election process, party worker Shehzad Poonawalla on Monday called it a “black day” for the Indian National Congress. Taking to Twitter, Poonawalla reiterated that the election is a “farce,” and claimed the party was fielding a “dummy” candidate against Gandhi. Read more about it here.
11. 25 am: Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who arrived at the party headquarters to nominate Rahul as party chief had this to say: “Rahul Gandhi will carry on the great traditions of the Congress Party.” Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh said it was time for a young leader to take charge given India’s changing demographics.
“It’s a positive move. We have a young India and now we have a young president… If you ask me, he will make a fine prime minister,” Amarinder Singh said.
11.20 am: As the election process goes on, here’s a look at the past presidents of the Congress Party and their tenures. The road ahead for Rahul will be a tough one, given that his party has been voted out of power in most of the states it once ruled with significant majority.
11.10 am: Before filing his nomination, Rahul had brief meetings with former prime minister Manmohan Singh as well as former President Pranab Mukherjee. Mukherjee has been a senior party leader for decades and has worked closely with Rahul’s grandmother Indira Gandhi, his father Rajiv Gandhi as well as outgoing Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
11.05 am: Today is the last day for filing nominations. If anyone wants to challenge Rahul Gandhi, they will have to file their nomination by 3 pm this afternoon. The only person who challenged Rahul’s elevation as Congress chief is party worker Shehzad Poonawalla. He, however, is not a party delegate and therefore cannot stand for elections.
11 am: The process of filing nominations began at 11 am this morning. We are expecting at least 70 nominations to be filed. Each Pradesh committee will file two sets of nominations. Top party leaders have also filed their nominations this morning.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi with her son Rahul Gandhi. Rahul is set to take over as president following his nomination today. File Photo/Indian Express
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