New Delhi: There are reports that MP Shashi Tharoor may contest for the post of Congress National President. Tharoor met Interim President Sonia Gandhi at her residence in Delhi today. Reports are that Sonia has agreed to Tharoor’s candidature. The election to decide the new Congress president is on October 17.
During the visit, Tharoor explained his position to Sonia. It is reported that Sonia reiterated her earlier stand that anyone can contest with Tharoor.
Tharoor came to meet Sonia Gandhi along with Congress leaders Deepender Hooda, Jayaprakash Aggarwal and Vijendra Singh. The visit was seen as highly significant by political circles as there were indications that Tharoor might contest for the post of President.
Shashi Tharoor has not denied the reports that he is contesting for the post of president. Tharoor had earlier said that the presidential election will benefit the Congress no matter who contests.
Tharoor had hinted that if someone from outside the Gandhi family contests for the post of Congress president, he too will be in the race. It is also estimated that if someone from the Gandhi family comes to the presidency, the leaders who are part of the G-23 group may not be in the race.
Tharoor had earlier said that in a situation where the Nehru family had declared that they would not be running for the Congress presidency, someone from outside should come. Let someone from outside the Nehru family be the party president. Competition is good in a democratic party. Tharoor said that it will strengthen the party.