Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged the candidate who would succeed Sonia Gandhi in the election to keep in mind that he “represents a set of ideas and belief system and vision of India,” calling the job of Congress president an “ideological office.”
Gandhi responded to a query during a news conference on the fifteenth day of the Bharat Jodo Yatra by saying, “You are assuming a role. A specific perception of India is defined and has been determined by this historical situation. It is not only an administrative position. The position of president of Congress represents an ideology and a set of values. Whoever is elected president should keep in mind that he or she represents a set of beliefs, a way of thinking, and a vision for India.”
This is in light of rumours that the Wayanad MP won’t be running in the election that will be conducted on October 17 and the results of which will be made public on October 19.
Ashok Gehlot, chief minister of Rajasthan, is said to be running for office; he is seen as being close to the Gandhi family. Shashi Tharoor has apparently received unequivocal approval from Sonia Gandhi to run for office.
Gandhi today said that Congress is up against a “machine” that has “controlled the institutional structure” of the nation, in a subtly insulting reference to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
