Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot, Rajasthan Chief Minister recently said that the party leader Rahul Gandhi has made it clear that no one from the Gandhi family should become the next party president. Rahul made this remark as the battle for the Congress presidential poll intensified. “I have requested him (Rahul Gandhi) multiple times to accept everyone's proposal to become the Congress President. He made it clear that no one from the Gandhi family should become the next chief,” Gehlot said while addressing the media in Kerala on Friday.

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Gehlot added that he will file his nomination for the election soon. He said the Opposition needs to be strong considering the current position of the country.

Gehlot and party MP Shashi Tharoor are seen as the likely contenders for the upcoming election. However, Congress committees across the country are holding meetings wherein a resolution is being passed stating that “we authorize the incoming Congress president to appoint PCC and AICC members.”

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Despite the party's support, Rahul Gandhi himself has remained tight-lipped on his decision to run for the party’s presidential post. Earlier, he made a cryptic remark about his decision and said, “Whether I become president (of Congress) or not will become clear when the election for the presidential post takes place.”

While addressing the media in Kanyakumari, he said that if he does not file the nomination, then he should be asked why he was against taking the leadership and he would answer.

The election for the Congress presidential post is set to be held on October 17. Counting will be done on October 19.

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