Raj drama intensifies: Tharoor meets Rahul for nod as official decide for Congress president

Express News Service

T’PURAM/PALAKKAD: A day after the beginning of the political drama in Rajasthan that would end in Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot pulling out of the Congress presidential ballot, focus has as soon as once more shifted to Shashi Tharoor. With Gehlot loyalists delivering a shock to the excessive command on Sunday by threatening to resign in opposition to its transfer to call Sachin Pilot because the CM’s successor, Tharoor, the Thiruvananthapuram MP, on Monday rushed to Pattambi in Palakkad to accompany Rahul Gandhi in the course of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and sought his clearance to be the official candidate.

Tharoor flew to Kochi and went to Pattambi by highway. His impromptu journey caught even senior Congress leaders within the district without warning. Before he joined Rahul for the padayatra, Tharoor advised reporters that the Gandhi household had no objections to his candidature.

“I spoke with Rahul Gandhi over the phone. All three members of the Gandhi family have extended their support. There have also been requests from several states for my candidature. So, I have decided to throw my hat in the ring. You will know who are backing me when I submit my nomination on September 30,” he mentioned.

Tharoor confirmed that he’ll submit his nomination papers on Friday, the final day, after gathering signatures of 10 Congress office-bearers from throughout the nation. Saying he had elicited each help and opposition from Kerala, Tharoor termed it regular and a wholesome check in a democracy.

‘I feel more candidates should participate’

On Gehlot’s candidature, Tharoor mentioned, “As a candidate, one should be able to face an opponent with confidence. In my opinion, more candidates should participate. Unlike other parties, there is indeed internal democracy in Congress.”

Party sources from New Delhi confirmed to TNIE that the journey was Tharoor’s ultimate try and persuade the Congress management about his intention to contest because the official candidate.“The high command is still not convinced that Tharoor is a serious candidate. He may share a close rapport with the Gandhi family, but that does not necessarily stand him in good stead. He is yet to attain the political stature of other senior leaders like Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mukul Wasnik and Sushil Kumar Shinde whose names are also doing the rounds for the Congress presidential election,” mentioned a supply.

The election, if required, could be held on October 17 and the outcomes can be declared on October 19.
Meanwhile, Congress nationwide normal secretary (group) Ok C Venugopal rushed from Pattambi to New Delhi after Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi summoned him to resolve the imbroglio created by Gehlot.

T’PURAM/PALAKKAD: A day after the beginning of the political drama in Rajasthan that would end in Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot pulling out of the Congress presidential ballot, focus has as soon as once more shifted to Shashi Tharoor. With Gehlot loyalists delivering a shock to the excessive command on Sunday by threatening to resign in opposition to its transfer to call Sachin Pilot because the CM’s successor, Tharoor, the Thiruvananthapuram MP, on Monday rushed to Pattambi in Palakkad to accompany Rahul Gandhi in the course of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and sought his clearance to be the official candidate.

Tharoor flew to Kochi and went to Pattambi by highway. His impromptu journey caught even senior Congress leaders within the district without warning. Before he joined Rahul for the padayatra, Tharoor advised reporters that the Gandhi household had no objections to his candidature.

“I spoke with Rahul Gandhi over the phone. All three members of the Gandhi family have extended their support. There have also been requests from several states for my candidature. So, I have decided to throw my hat in the ring. You will know who are backing me when I submit my nomination on September 30,” he mentioned.

Tharoor confirmed that he’ll submit his nomination papers on Friday, the final day, after gathering signatures of 10 Congress office-bearers from throughout the nation. Saying he had elicited each help and opposition from Kerala, Tharoor termed it regular and a wholesome check in a democracy.

‘I feel more candidates should participate’

On Gehlot’s candidature, Tharoor mentioned, “As a candidate, one should be able to face an opponent with confidence. In my opinion, more candidates should participate. Unlike other parties, there is indeed internal democracy in Congress.”

Party sources from New Delhi confirmed to TNIE that the journey was Tharoor’s ultimate try and persuade the Congress management about his intention to contest because the official candidate.“The high command is still not convinced that Tharoor is a serious candidate. He may share a close rapport with the Gandhi family, but that does not necessarily stand him in good stead. He is yet to attain the political stature of other senior leaders like Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mukul Wasnik and Sushil Kumar Shinde whose names are also doing the rounds for the Congress presidential election,” mentioned a supply.

The election, if required, could be held on October 17 and the outcomes can be declared on October 19.
Meanwhile, Congress nationwide normal secretary (group) Ok C Venugopal rushed from Pattambi to New Delhi after Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi summoned him to resolve the imbroglio created by Gehlot.