Rahul moves step closer to Congress top post

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Monday filed his nomination for the post of party president in the presence of leaders spanning generations and amid mounting criticism by the BJP over dynastic politics.

As was expected, Rahul's was the only application received for the post of the Congress president that was supported by incumbent Sonia Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, members of the Working Committee, chief ministers, state unit presidents who filed 89 sets of nomination papers.

The 47-year-old Rahul is expected to be declared elected as president on Monday next to succeed his mother Sonia, who holds the record for the longest tenure of 19 years in the 132 year-old history of the Congress.

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Motilal Vora, Mohsina Kidwai and Shivraj Patil to young turks such as Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sachin Pilot, Sushmita Dev, Gaurav Gogoi, Suraj Hegde were present at the AICC headquarters that wore a festive look.

"We have received 89 sets of nomination papers from senior Congress leaders, state units of the party," Mullapally Ramachandran, Chairman of the Central Election Authority told a press conference here.

He said the CEA will scrutinise the nomination forms publish the names of the eligible candidates on Tuesday.

A formal announcement of Rahul's election is expected on Monday next on the last date of withdrawal of nomination papers.

"It is a great day. Rahul has been the darling of Congress and this is yet another step in his devotion to the Congress party and country," Manmohan Singh, said, when asked about Rahul Gandhi's takeover.

Rahul stayed away from media persons and spent the day meeting Congress leaders who had come from across the country.

Rahul began his day with a visit to Raj Ghat to offer tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. He later visited former president Pranab Mukherjee and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek their blessings before filing the nominations.

Mukherjee applied the traditional red 'tilak' on Rahul's forehead and wished him good luck for the future.