Decks cleared for Rahul to take over as Congress prez
new delhi — In a generational shift at the top in the Congress, Rahul Gandhi is all set to take over as party president next week after he filed his nomination papers on Monday for the post amid opposition jibes over dynasty politics in a contest with no one else in the fray.
The 47-year-old Rahul, who will be the sixth Nehru-Gandhi scion to helm the party, filed papers at the Congress headquarters here amid cheers and celebrations by party leaders and workers. His mother and incumbent party president Sonia Gandhi signed the first nomination paper for election of her son.
Among the proposers was former prime minister Manmohan Singh who called Rahul Gandhi the “darling” of the party. Manmohan Singh accompanied Gandhi when he filed the nomination paper.
In all 89 sets of nominations were said to have been filed supporting Rahul when the deadline expired at 3pm on Monday. The last date for withdrawal is December 11 when he may be declared elected since there is no contest. Scrutiny of the nomination will take place on Tuesday.
However, the filing of nomination was not without controversy stoked by remarks of senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar who invoked the Mughal dynasty in the Congress presidential election that Prime Minister Narendra Modi latched on to quickly to call it ‘Aurangzeb Raj’.
“When Shah Jahan came in the place of Jahangir did any election happen? And when Aurangzeb came in place of Shah Jahan did any election happen? It was known to everyone that the throne of the king will automatically go to the heir,” Aiyar said, retorting to the “dynasty” jibes of the BJP on Rahul Gandhi’s election.
“But in a democracy elections are held. I openly invite (Shehzad) Poonawala to file the nomination and contest,” Aiyar said, adding has anyone heard of Poonawala earlier.
Aiyar was replying to a question about BJP’s criticism following Maharashtra Congress leader Poonawala alleging that election for Congress president was a sham and Rahul Gandhi’s elevation was rigged.
Modi was quick to pounce on Aiyar’s remarks. Addressing an election rally in Gujarat, Modi said: “Aiyar, who never shies away from showing loyalty to one family, proudly said — When Shah Jahan came in the place of Jahangir did any elections happen? And when Aurangzeb came in place of Shah Jahan did any election happen? —