'Ask Kharge ji': Rahul Gandhi announces new party chief ahead of results

NEW DEKHI: Even before the results of the Congress presidential elections were officially announced, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said Mallikarjun Kharge will decide his role in the party.
"I can't comment on the Congress president's role, that's for Mr. Kharge (party's Presidential candidate) to comment on. The president will decide what my role is ... and where I will be deployed ... ask Kharge ji and Sonia ji," said Congress MP amid the Andhra Pradesh leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Within an hour of his statement, the results were announced and Mallikarjun Kharge was officially declared the winner of the Congress presidential elections with 7,897 votes, Shashi Tharoor got 1,072 votes.
It is the first time in 24 years that the Congress will be led by someone who does not belong to the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Congress sources said the elected president will take charge after Diwali in the presence of senior leaders in a programme at the Congress headquarters.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP and other regional parties for not conducting presidential elections.
"We are the only political party in the country that holds selections, we are also the only political party that has an election commission inside it. Everyone asks questions about polls in Congress. I am proud that Congress has had open and transparent polls. Why is nobody interested in elections in other parties, including the BJP and other regional parties?" said the Congress leader.
(With inputs from agencies)