Congress President Election: Changes in internal election rules of Congress, Tharoor said – we want clarification, not confrontation

Following a demand from a section of senior Congress leaders, the party leadership agreed to make a major change in the voting process ahead of the crucial election for the post of president.

Anyone who wants to file nomination for the post of Congress President will be able to see the list of all the 9,000 delegates that make up the electoral college. Congress leader Madhusudan Mistry has said that this list will be available in the office of the party's Central Election Authority from September 20. The move comes after five MPs, including Shashi Tharoor, Karti Chidambaram and Manish Tewari, wrote to Mistry demanding "transparency, fairness" in the election process. The election of Congress President will be held on October 17 and nominations can be filed from September 24 to 30.

Mistry, chairman of the party's Central Election Authority, has said that those who want to contest elections can check the names of 10 delegates from their state in the state Congress office. He said in a letter to the MPs that once the nominations are signed and handed over to the Chief Returning Officer, they will get the complete list of delegates.

Also he said that if anyone wants nomination from ten supporters from different states, then list of all 9000+ delegates from filing nominations from September 20 (11 AM to 6 PM) at my office in AICC, Delhi on September 24 will be available first. He said that he can come and select 10 of his supporters (delegates) from the list and get them (delegates) to sign for nomination. 

Tharoor said- we want clarification, not confrontation

Shashi Tharoor said that I have spoken to Congress Chief Electoral Authority Madhusudan Mistry. The controversy that arose after a malicious leak of a private letter from 5 MPs has come to an end. I insisted that as loyal Congressmen, we are seeking an explanation, not a confrontation. In another tweet, Tharoor said, "I am glad that this clarification has come in the form of his positive reply to our letter. I am satisfied with these assurances. Many people will be happy to go ahead with the election process which I think will strengthen the party. 

Know what the five MPs wrote in the letter

In a letter to Mistry, five MPs had demanded that electoral rolls should be provided to the electors and potential candidates. The MPs wrote that we are not suggesting that any internal document of the party should be released in such a way that it gives opportunity to those who want to see us weak. It was written in the letter that it is our firm view that before the nomination process begins, the Central Election Authority (CEA) of the party should provide a list of Delegates of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), who form the electoral college. 

Elections after many senior leaders left the party

The election for the post of party president is going to be held after the resignation of many senior leaders of the Congress party. Recently, senior party leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad left the party. The demand for Baldav in the party has gained strength after senior leaders quit the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. 

Rahul Gandhi on India Jodo Yatra

Party leader Rahul Gandhi is leading a Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to garner support for the elections. Rahul Gandhi, who stepped down as party president in 2019 and has been in constant denial of the post since then. He said during the visit that whether I will become the Congress President or not, it will be clear when the elections are held. At present, Sonia Gandhi is heading the party.