NEW DELHI: AICC sources informed that the members of the Gandhi family will not be contesting in Congress presidential election. Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will not file nomination. AICC sources also stated that the Gandhi family won’t oppose others contesting. They clarified that Rahul Gandhi himself informed that he is not contesting. Rahul’s strong stance is not run for presidency. Priyanka is also unlikely to contest because of the strong criticism of being called a ‘family party’.
The official wing considers Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot as their candidate. But the G23 members has hinted that if no one from the Gandhi family contests, then they will select a candidate for election. Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor are in the forefront for this. But Shashi Tharoor denied this news. Tharoor clarified that he never said anything like that. Ghulam Nabi Azad, who quit the Congress, also supported Tharoor's candidature. Meanwhile, the resignation of Ghulam Nabi Azad from the party, has caused a huge dropout in the Congress in Kashmir. 51 leaders left the Congress to join Azad's party. This includes former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand. Ghulam Nabi Azad made a strong allegation that Rahul Gandhi is the reason for the current state of the party.