Shashi Tharoor or a Gandhi proxy? End of Congress Voting

While Mallikarjun Kharge was greet warmly by delegates in Chennai, Shashi Tharoor receive a cold reception in his home state.

Approximately 9,000 Congress leaders voted today to elect a non-Gandhi as party chief, a first in more than two decades. While veteran leader Mallikarjun Kharge is considered the favourite, his opponent Shashi Tharoor state that despite the odds, he is “confident.”

As some Congress delegates predict, when asked if he would get a clean sweep, Mallikarjun Kharge said. Whether it is a clean sweep or not will be known on the 19th (Wednesday, when the votes are counted).”

“How can we forecast now?”

The odds were pill against us because the party leaders and establishment were overwhelmingly behind the other candidate. Shashi Tharoor told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, where he voted.

While Mr Kharge was greet enthusiastically by the delegates in Chennai, Mr Tharoor’s reception in his home state was lukewarm. Many senior leaders in Kerala have openly expressed their support for Mr Kharge.

One of the signatories to Mr Tharoor’s nomination, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram. Told news that “deliberate misinformation” about the candidate, who campaign on change, has been spread. “Shashi will receive significant votes, and there will be a pleasant surprise,” he added.

The perception that Mr Kharge is the ‘approved’ candidate has fueled speculation that he will act as a stand-in for the Gandhis. Mr Kharge has stated publicly that he would seek the assistance of the Gandhis if necessary. Both he and Mr Tharoor have stated that the Gandhis remain strictly neutral in the election.

“I have been waiting for this day for a long time,” said Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, who voted in the morning. Mrs Gandhi remains the party’s parliamentary board chairperson. And Gaurav Gogoi, the party’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, has stated that Rahul Gandhi will remain the “face of the party for the 2024 election.”