Rahul Gandhi may not contest, Tharoor can contest for post of Congress President; Sonia Gandhi clarifies that she has no objection

NEW DELHI: Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Monday clarified that Shashi Tharoor can contest the AICC president election. Sonia made her stand clear after her meeting with Tharoor today. Reports are also claiming that Sonia has hinted that Rahul Gandhi may not contest for the post of AICC president.

Tharoor had earlier stated that he was interested in contesting if no one from the Gandhi family became the president. The meeting between Tharoor and Sonia happened in this context. The meeting at Sonia's residence lasted for an hour.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra and UP Congress elements passed a resolution demanding that Rahul should lead the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and that he should reconsider the decision not to become the president.

With Rahul Gandhi not showing any interest in contesting the polls, efforts are being made to field Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot as an official candidate.