When asked whether anyone else would be allowed to contest against Rahul, Surjewala said the party was democratic enough to welcome any of its workers or leaders to contest any post.
The Congress on Wednesday hinted that the stage was set for Rahul Gandhi to take over as party president by the end of this month, and also that his mother and current president, Sonia Gandhi, would continue to guide the party under a new mechanism yet to be incorporated in the party constitution. Chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the party was currently conducting organisational polls, including for the post of president. "By the end of this month, you will not ask questions about Rahul's elevation," he said.
When asked whether anyone else would be allowed to contest against Rahul, Surjewala said the party was democratic enough to welcome any of its workers or leaders to contest any post. He also added that Rahul was the unquestioned choice of all party workers. "Rahul Gandhi continues to remain the unquestioned choice of every Congress leader and worker as president of the party," he said.
He also cited previous examples to suggest that the Congress has seen such contests in the past.
Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot and MP Jyotiraditya Scindia had earlier said that Rahul may take over as party president after Diwali and that the time was ripe for him to "lead from the front". The Election Commission had set a December-end deadline for Congress to conclude the exercise. The All India Congress Committee, however, plans to complete the process by the end of October itself.
In the past few weeks, after returning from the US, Rahul has stepped up attacks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He plans to spend maximum time in poll-bound Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh; his first rally will be on Sunday in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. He was in Gujarat last week, touring Saurashtra for three days, and will return to the state next week for a three-day tour of central Gujarat. Starting October 9, he will cover Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Chhota Udaipur, Anand and Kheda.
Two more three-day trips are in store before the polls are announced in the state. Congress leaders said they are fighting a tough battle in Gujarat and appreciate that Rahul is giving the state extra attention.
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