Congress Bharat Jodo Yatra LIVE Updates: Have made my position clear, says Rahul Gandhi

There is devastating unemployment and prices of essentials are skyrocketing. These concerns continue to encourage all the Padyatris & are inter-connected as well: Rahul Gandhi

We have a very clear view on what needs to be done in UP, says Rahul Gandhi on why Bharat Jodo Yatra not spending more time there.

Congress president is not just an organisational post, it is an ideological post and a belief system, says Rahul Gandhi

Whoever becomes Congress president should remember he represents a set of ideas, a belief system and a vision of India: Rahul Gandhi

Have made my position clear, says Rahul Gandhi on Congress presidential poll

The Kerala leg has been a success. People have been coming out regardless of their affiliation. The success of the Yatra is based on the fact that majority of the people appreciate that India is not at war with itself: Rahul Gandhi

The Yatra is designed to tell the people that they need to be united and go back to an India which was loving and affectionate to itself: Rahul Gandhi

We're fighting a machine that has captured the institutional framework of India. They have unlimited money to pressurise and threaten people. The outcome of that is what we have witnessed in Goa: Rahul Gandhi

LIVE: Rahul Gandhi at the press conference

Given the drama around polls, all eyes are on Rahul and Gehlot.

Besides Gehlot, Tharoor on Wednesday visited AICC poll authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry and reviewed the electoral rolls, while also inquiring about formalities.

Seen as a formality in the past, the election for Congress presidency appears to be shaping up as a real contest.

Gehlot said he was still hopeful Rahul will take over the leadership.

AICC notified the poll schedule on Thursday. The top party job is likely to witness a contest for the first time in 22 years.

Rahul Gandhi at the yatra on Day 15

While Digvijaya Singh's remark "why I am being ruled out as a contestant", led to sensation, sources sought to tamp down the excitement by suggesting it was just an off-the-cuff quip to parry a query about whom he preferred between Gehlot and Tharoor.

The news that Mallikarjun Kharge was going to Kerala for Bharat Jodo Yatra reinforced speculation.

On a day when Sonia Gandhi held discussion with Ashok Gehlot, party circles were abuzz with speculation of vocal dissident Manish Tewari and a veteran joining Shashi Tharoor and Gehlot in the fray.

Amid lingering "will Rahul, won't Rahul" uncertainty, there were indications his final refusal to enter fray may lead more party persons to throw their hat in the ring.

Buzz over Tewari and Kharge, but all eyes on Rahul