Sonia Gandhi will not endorse anyone for Congress president polls Ashok Gehlot Shashi Tharoor Rahul Gandhi

Image Source : PTI Shashi Tharoor, Sonia Gandhi and Ashok Gehlot. After more than two decades, the Congress is likely to see a non-Gandhi contest for the post of its chief, with Shashi Tharoor and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot likely to run for the AICC presidential poll.

Highlights

Sonia Gandhi met Ashok Gehlot in Delhi to discuss Congress president's election
Sources say Rajasthan too was discussed in the meeting
Ashok Gehlot is likely to contest for Congress' top post

Congress President's election: Sonia Gandhi in a meeting with Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday told Rajasthan CM that party's presidential election will be free and fair adding she won't give her personal approval to anyone, sources said.

"The principle of One Person One Post will come up when candidate will be finalised & win," they said.

Ashok Gehlot, who is most likely to contest the poll to elect the next Congress President scheduled to be held on October 17, met interim party chief Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.

In the meeting which lasted for nearly two hours, sources said Sonia Gandhi asserted that the polls will be fair and she will not endorse any candidate.

Rajasthan also discussed with Sonia Gandhi

The sources said that the issue of Rajasthan in the event of Gehlot joining national politics was also discussed, but their is no official word on it yet.

Gehlot is tipped to file his nomination next week for the Congress President's post; however, he is reportedly reluctant to leave the Chief Minister's chair in Rajasthan.

Gehlot, who arrived in the national capital on Wednesday morning, had told the media ahead of the meeting that he will not back out from any responsibility.

"I will not back out from any responsibility and will serve the party wherever and in whichever capacity I am required in this hour of crisis," he said.

Gehlot told Sonia party wants Rahul to take charge

However, Gehlot also said that the party wants Rahul Gandhi to take over as the next Congress President.

Gehlot also dropped hint that he can manage the posts of both the party chief and Chief Minister of Rajasthan simultaneously.

The Rajasthan Chief Minister said he is not aspiring for any post, but wants to work towards ousting the 'fascist' BJP government.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday arrived at the AICC office here to check the delegates' list ahead of the issuance of notification for the Congress presidential polls, as he is also expected to file his nomination for the top post next week.

(With inputs from IANS)

ALSO READ | Ashok Gehlot wishes to retain Rajasthan CM's post even if elected as Congress President: Sources

ALSO READ | Bharat Jodo Yatra: Congress in damage control mode | Know why