Last date of withdrawal is October 8 and date of polling is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 17 at all PCC headquarters…reports Asian Lite News
With the Congress announcing the schedule for its Presidential elections, the anticipation over who will fill the post is mounting.
The Congress Working Committee – the party’s highest decision-making authority – on Sunday approved the schedule which envisages the election on October 17 and counting on October 19 in a meeting attended virtually by party chief Sonia Gandhi – who is abroad for a medical check-up, and her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, who are accompanying her.
G23 leader Anand Sharma, who had recently quit as the chief of a party panel for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, also joined in virtually.
Many leaders were present at the AICC for the meeting while others joined through video links.
A section of Congress leaders say that Rahul Gandhi should take over as President, with Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that he is of personal opinion that that he should hold the post again.
However, Rahul Gandhi has made it clear that he wants a non-Gandhi to be party President, and the CWC meeting comes in wake of senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad quitting the party and hitting out at him over the party’s performance in last 8 years.
As sources indicated that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is top choice of Sonia Gandhi for the post, while asserting that Rahul Gandhi should take over as party workers want him, the situation will be clear when Sonia Gandhi comes back in the second week of September after her treatment.
Announcing the schedule after approval from the CWC, Congress Election Authority Chairman Madhusudan Mistry said that the date of issuance of notification is September 22, nominations can be filed from between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from September 24 to 30 while scrutiny will be done on October 1. Last date of withdrawal is October 8 and date of polling is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 17 at all PCC headquarters.
Poll on Oct 17, counting on Oct 19
The Congress announced that the election for its new President will be held on October 17 as a meeting of its Working Committee – the party’s highest decision-making authority – on Sunday approved the poll schedule.
Congress Election Authority Chairman Madhusudan Mistry announced the dates of the polling process after approval from the CWC, in its meeting held virtually and attended by G23 leader Anand Sharma, who had recently quit as the chief of a party panel for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.
“It (CWC) considered and approved the following final schedule of dates suggested by the Central Election Authority of the AICC for election to the post of Congress President,” a party statement said.
The date of issuance of notification is September 22, nominations can be filed from between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from September 24 to 30 while scrutiny will be done on October 1. Last date of withdrawal is October 8 and date of polling is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 17 at all PCC headquarters.
Counting will be held on October 19.
“The CWC reiterated its resolve to make the Mehangai Par Halla Bol rally in New Delhi on September 4 and the launch of the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari on September 7 and its continuation thereafter a resounding success,” the party statement said.
The CWC extended its best wishes to party President Sonia Gandhi, who is abroad for a medical checkup, for a full and speedy recovery.
ALSO READ-Azad resignation adds third dimension to forthcoming J&K polls