12 Of 700 Congress Delegates Turn Up For Shashi Tharoor’s Chennai Campaign

Chennai:

Shashi Tharoor, operating for the put up of the primary non-Gandhi president of the Congress in additional than twenty years, obtained a really chilly shoulder from the celebration delegates in Tamil Nadu at this time. The 66-year-old was in Chennai to hunt assist of the 700-plus Congress delegates from the state who can vote within the election. However solely 12 or so attended the assembly.

Sources within the celebration indicated that attending Mr Tharoor’s meet may very well be seen as going in opposition to the ‘official’ candidate who apparently has the approval of the Gandhis. That candidate is Mallikarjun Kharge, the Eleventh-hour entry after front-runner Ashok Gehlot dropped out of the race.  

“It’s their loss if they’re afraid to attend my meet,” Mr Tharoor advised reporters in Chennai. “The Gandhis have clarified that they don’t have any official candidate. We are going to dispel the parable that Kharge is the official candidate,” he added.

Mr Tharoor was the primary chief within the Congress to announce his candidature for the election. He did so after a gathering with Sonia Gandhi.  

In an interview to NDTV final week, Mr Tharoor stated Mrs Gandhi advised him “You might be most welcome to contest”. There could be no “official candidate” as her complete household would keep impartial, she had assured him.

However Ashok Gehlot, longtime loyalist of the Gandhi household introduced his candidature quickly after and instantly catapulted to the spot of favorite within the race.  

This was swiftly adopted by a twist, with Mr Gehlot indicating that he was averse to maneuver out of Rajasthan. After Rahul Gandhi made it clear that the celebration will stick with its “One man one put up” rule, Mr Gehlot’s followers launched an open insurrection. Falling into disfavour with key central leaders and the Gandhis, Mr Gehlot stated he wouldn’t contest.  

Mallikarjun Kharge, who was the last-minute choose, had advised that there needs to be a “consensus candidate”. However there was no optimistic response.  

Mr Tharoor, who was a part of the Group of 27 leaders who demanded organizational modifications in an explosive letter to Sonia Gandhi in 2020, has been eager on the competition. However his assist base within the celebration, even in house state Kerala, is seen as slim.  

The chief who had referred to as for an entire overhaul, at this time stated he would work to finish decentralization within the Congress. “I’d empower state leaders. That will give the Congress a stronger basis,” he stated. He additionally added that he would “invite ex-Congress leaders in BJP to return”.  

Election for the Congress president might be held on October 17 and votes might be counted on October 19.