Cong prez polls: Who is Sonia's trusted- Gehlot or Tharoor?

The upcoming Congress presidential election, scheduled on October 17, is likely to turn out to be a contest between at least two candidates. Two Congress leaders likely to file their  nomibations for the post of the Congress president.  Party MP Shashi Tharoor and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot have thrown their hats in the ring.Gehlot called a meeting of all party legislators at his residence in Jaipur late on Tuesday and discussed the issue. As per reports Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said that in the meeting Gehlot clearly said that  he is not leaving Rajasthan, Gehlot has  reportedly told the Congress leadership that he wants to stay on as Chief Minister for some time, even after becoming Congress president. Sources said tat Gehlot called the MLAs meeting when former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot flew to Kochi to join Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.Gehlot's candidature, however, has yet to be confirmed. Sources say his first choice remains Rahul Gandhi,the Rajasthan unit of the Congress on Saturday passed a resolution calling on him to return.

However, a large section of Congress workers still want Rahul Gandhi to lead them, with several state units of the party passing resolutions to the effect. Sonia Gandhi has reportedly given signal to Tharoor’s candidature.Congress prepares to hold its first presidential election in 22 years. The Congress will accept nominations till September 30. The elections for Congress president, if needed (if there are more than one candidate), will be held on October 17. The results will be declared on October 19. Filing of nominations for the election begins on September 22. The last non-Gandhi Congress chief was Sitaram Kesari. Sonia Gandhi took over in March 1998 and returned to the post after Rahul Gandhi quit in 2019.