Rahul Gandhi is set to become the president of the Indian National Congress, taking over the mantle from his mother Sonia.
Gandhi, who was Congress vice president for the past five years, filed his nomination papers at the party’s 24 Akbar Road headquarters in New Delhi on Monday. The Congress selects its president through an election, but it is not expected that anyone will challenge Gandhi’s nomination or file papers.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that Rahul Gandhi is the “darling” of the Congress, as he and other top leaders officially backed his promotion to party president in an internal election where there are no other candidates.
“It’s a great day. Rahul has been the darling of the Congress men and Congress women and this is yet another step in his devotion to the Congress party and country,” Manmohan Singh, 85, told NDTV, when asked about Rahul Gandhi’s takeover.
The two-time prime minister is the first proposer in one of four sets of nomination papers that Rahul Gandhi has filed. His mother and current chief Sonia Gandhi is the main proposer for another set.
Dr Singh said Sonia Gandhi has served the party for over 19 years, “so it will be yet another chapter for the party and Rahul Gandhi will carry on the great traditions of taking the party forward”.
Rahul Gandhi called on Manmohan Singh as well as former president Pranab Mukherjee this morning before going to the Congress headquarters to file his nomination papers and start the process of his election.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah wished success to Rahul Gandhi as he prepares to take over the reins of the Congress party.
As @OfficeOfRG files his nomination to take over the Grand Old Party of India I wish him all the very best going ahead. Expectations are high, challenges are numerous & I pray for his success.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 4, 2017
