Congress President Election LIVE: Party Returns Modi's 'Aurangzeb' Fire With 'Dictator' Jibe

PM Narendra Modi attacking Rahul Gandhi's impending elevation as Congress President:

#BREAKING | PM @narendramodi tears into @officeofRg on the day of his nomination for @INCIndia president's post. Calls Rahul coronation ‘Aurangzeb Raj’ | Tweet your views on #MughalRaGa pic.twitter.com/qIn3CNT42k

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 4, 2017

"Don't compare both, during Mughal rule it was understood that after Jehangir, Shahjahan will be the leader but here anyone is free to contest against Rahul Gandhi, it's a totally democratic process. PM Narendra Modi himself is the biggest dictator and he is teaching us," clarifies Mani Shankar Aiyar.

"Today is a day of celebration and optimism as the dreams of lakhs of Congress workers are near reality. This is true democracy. A new team Congress will serve the people of India and address the aspirations of 1.2 billion people," tweets Gaurav Gogoi.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma wishes Rahul Gandhi after he files his nomination:

Best wishes to @OfficeOfRG as he files nomination papers for the election of @INCIndia Presidentship. #IndiaWithRahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/HZ2I8nYZAb

— Mukul Sangma (@mukulsangma) December 4, 2017

"Congress has become a burden on this nation, now would be good if after Rahul Gandhi's elevation once and for all this burden is removed," says UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

Meanwhile, Jammu & Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah wished Rahul Gandhi and tweeted, "As Rahul Gandhi files his nomination to take over the Grand Old Party of India (Congress) I wish him all the very best going ahead. Expectations are high, challenges are numerous & I pray for his success."

When talking about Rahul Gandhi's, till now, unopposed nomination as Congress President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke in Hindi. While attacking the Congress Party otherwise, the PM switched to Gujarati.

"Mani Shankar Aiyar said that 'did elections happen during Mughal rule? After Jehangir, Shahjahan came, was an election held? After Shahjahan, it was understood Aurangzeb will be the leader'. So Congress accepts its a family party? We don't want this Aurangzeb rule," says PM Modi.

"I congratulate the Congress on their 'Aurangzeb Raj'. For us, the well-being of the people matters and 125 crore Indians are our high command," says PM Modi.

"Congress can't either tolerate or accept leaders from Gujarat. They have always defamed Gujarat. They put (former Prime Minister) Morarji Desai in jail," says PM Modi.

"Congress party leaders themselves agree that it isn't a party, rather a clan," says PM Modi.

PM Narendra Modi is addressing a rally in Gujarat's Dharampur where he has raked up Mani Shankar Aiyar's reported statement on Rahul Gandhi's elevation. "Mani Shankar Aiyar says it’s like Aurangzeb taking over from Shah Jahan," says PM Modi.

"My congratulations to Rahul Gandhi. It is promotion without performance," chides BJP's Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

Congress Anand Sharma addressing the media after Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for the post of Congress Party President:

#RahulCoronation -- We want to make this clear that this was a conscious decision by the party: @AnandSharmaINC, Congress leader pic.twitter.com/qf2pGVR4c7

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 4, 2017

"If anyone wants to participate in elections he or she is free to do so, it's going on in a democratic manner. PM Narendra Modi has no business to comment on Congress's internal matter," tweets Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Rahul Gandhi filing nomination for Congress Party President post.

Congress Leader Ambika Soni speaking to CNN-News18's Sneha Mordani:

#RahulCoronation -- Congress is a very respected party and we cherish the principles of this party: Ambika Soni, Congress leader to CNN-News18's @snehamordani pic.twitter.com/mxeCruhrq6

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 4, 2017

Captain Amarinder Singh addressing the media after Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for the post of Congress Party President:

#RahulCoronation -- We all are very happy within the Congress party: Punjab CM @capt_amarinder to CNN-News18's @Zebaism pic.twitter.com/6jUBpTSYl5

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 4, 2017

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressing the media after Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for the post of Congress Party President:

#RahulCoronation -- Sonia Gandhi served the Congress party for the past 19 years, now Rahul will carry great tradition in Congress party: Former prime minister Manmohan Singh pic.twitter.com/4advR4MTxS

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 4, 2017

"I extend my best wishes to Shri Rahul Gandhi ji as he files nomination for party President's post. Rahul Ji has been working very hard since becoming the VP. His simplicity and genuineness has an appeal and acts as a unifying force," tweets Ashok Gehlot.

MP Anand Sharma talks to CNN-News18's Pallavi Ghosh:

#RahulCoronation -- Is the prime minister is going to tell us what we should decide?: @AnandSharmaINC, Congress leader to CNN-News18's @_pallavighosh pic.twitter.com/mtSE15pFRd

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 4, 2017

Congress Leader Jyotiraditya Scindia talks to CNN-News18's Pallavi Ghosh:

#RahulCoronation -- I am very surprised that the prime minister is talking about the Congress party, where BJP has no elections in their party: @JM_Scindia, Congress leader to @_pallavighosh pic.twitter.com/z3MXV9AIw0

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 4, 2017

"It is a touching moment for me to be witnessing this important chapter in the rich and proud history of Indian National Congress. My best wishes to Rahul Gandhi" tweets Sheila Dikshit.

"Sri Rahul Gandhi is filing his nomination for President Congress Party. His leadership is essential to take India forward, towards becoming a more modern, secular, progressive, liberal & just nation," tweets National party spokesperson Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Shehzad Poonawalla is claiming that his sources are telling him of a dummy candidate being put up by the Congress Party to make Rahul Gandhi's election seem like a democratic process. "It will be just hogwash," says Poonawalla.

Congress Leader Oscar Fernandes talks to CNN-News18:

#RahulCoronation -- Rahul has not opted for this, we (party workers) asked him to file nomination: Oscar Fernandes, Congress leader to CNN-News18's @snehamordani pic.twitter.com/oiui5pG15V

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 4, 2017

Congress Leader Jitin Prasada talking to CNN-News18's Pallavi Ghosh:

#RahulCoronation -- Where is the question of not allowing? The nomination process is still on: Jitin Prasada, Congress leader to @_pallavighosh pic.twitter.com/8CP0ySoa6x

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 4, 2017

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, wishes Rahul Gandhi on taking up the new role:

Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge wishes Congress VP Rahul Gandhi all the best in his journey to Congress President and dwells on his qualities as a strong leader. #IndiaWithRahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/gkPzgXyEZJ

— Congress (@INCIndia) December 4, 2017

"Mrs Sonia Gandhi has helped and led the Congress Party for the last two decades. Rahul will not carry the grand tradition," says former PM Manmohan Singh.

"Is the Prime Minister going to decide how the Congress Party's President should be? Nobody is forcing us to vote for Rahul. We have taken the process forward are making him the vice-president earlier this year. We are a 132-year-old party, we cannot take decisions based on just one election. We have to think about the future," says Anand Sharma.

"Congratulations, Shri Rahul Gandhi on filing nomination papers for the election to the post of President of Congress. I am confident that the party will renew itself with greater vigour & scale new heights under your able leadership. I wish you success!" tweets Siddaramaiah.