Aditi Tandon
New Delhi, September 30
Mallikarjun Kharge is all set to file his papers for the Congress presidential election and would likely emerge as a consensus candidate with former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh expected to pull out in his favour and propose his nomination.
Kharge, 80, has agreed to run after a battery of senior Congress leaders met him this morning requesting him to step in after Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot pulled out of the race.
Mallikarjun Kharge at 80 is an inspiring choice for CP. He is young, energetic and just what the Congress needed to ensure its revival. He should just pick Dr Manmohan Singh’s manual on “Living by the Remote Control” and it is all sortedhellip;
Shashi Tharoor continues to hang in.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 30, 2022
Kharge is seen as a candidate who can inspire pan India consensus.
It is learnt that Kharge would resign as leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, a position that could go to Digvijay Singh under the party’s one post one person rule.
Former UN diplomat and ex-minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor filed his nomination papers for the Congress President’s post at AICC headquarters today and said he was not a candidate of the G 23. “I need the support of all 9100 Pradesh Congress Committee delegates, who are voters, and not just 23 leaders,” said Tharoor.
He filed his papers before Chairman of Central Election Authority Madhusudan Mistry.
Mallikarjun Kharge will also shortly file his papers with veterans Ashok Gehlot, Digvijay Singh, Pramod Tewari, PL Punia, BS Hooda expected to be among proposers. The indications of a consensus election came this morning with G 23 leader Manish Tewari batting for agreement on the post.
Tewari posted excerpts from a recent Tribune report which analysed how consensus has been the norm in the 137 year party history to elect the Congress chief.
Tewari tweeted portion of the The Tribune report which quotes late President Pranab Mukherjee as batting for consensus and saying “certain offices should not be sought, they should be offered.”
“Given recent unfortunate events it’s time to close ranks and strengthen Congress recalling wise words of Pranab Mukherjee and work for a consensus and effective presidency,.” Tewari said.
Will propose Kharge, won’t contest: Digvijay
Veteran leader Digvijay Singh has announced that he won’t contest the Congress presidential election and would instead propose the candidature of his senior Mallikarjun Kharge.
“I can’t even think of contesting against Mallikarjun Kharge. He is my senior and I support him fully. I won’t be contesting. I will propose Kharge ji’s nomination form,” Singh said today.
Singh said he had worked for the Congress all his life and would continue to work.
“There are some non negotiables in my life. I dont compromise on issues related to Dalits, Tribals and OBCs; I don’t compromise with those who spoil communal harmony and I don’t compromise my commitment to Gandhi family,” Singh said.
He said he had visited Kharge yesterday to ask if he was filing his papers for the party president post.
” Kharge ji is my leader and my senior. I had asked him yesterday if he wanted.
He said no. I again met him today. I told him I am with you fully if you are contesting. I can’t think of contesting against him. He is filing his nomination and I will be his proposer,” said Singh.