Congress president election: Nomination opens, early bird Tharoor collects papers

In a surprise, two more people come forward to collect papers, from Himachal and UP. They are neither PCC delegates, nor claim support of any

Senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor with Congress Central Election Authority Chairman Madhusudan Mistry during a meeting, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)

Making it clear that he is set to contest the high-stake Congress presidential election next month, Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor Saturday collected the nomination forms soon after the week-long window for filing of the papers opened.

A representative of Tharoor arrived at the AICC headquarters with a letter of authorisation from the Thiruvananthapuram MP. He was given five sets of nomination papers by Madhusudan Mistry, the Chairman of the Congress Central Election Authority.

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“I write to you today to request you to kindly share five nomination forms for the upcoming AICC presidential elections with Mr Aalim Javeri, a member of my staff… whom I have authorized to collect these on my behalf,” Tharoor’s letter to Mistry said.

Thaoor will face off with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who Friday formally announced that he will contest the election, which will take place on October 17. The counting is scheduled to take place on October 19.

Interestingly, two others came to collect nomination forms but were neither PCC delegates themselves nor claimed the support of any. The two identified themselves as Laxmikant Sharma from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh and Vinod Sarati from Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh. Only PCC delegates can contest the election.

Their appearance was reminiscent of Dhartipakad, who was known to contest unsuccessfully every election, big or small. Congress old-timers remember that he had come to contest the party presidential election against the late Rajiv Gandhi too in the 1980s.

Mistry sat at his office at the AICC headquarters from 11 am, and those close to him said he would be present in the House every day till September 30, the day the window for filing of nomination papers closes. The date of scrutiny of the nomination papers would be October 1, while the last date of withdrawal of nominations would be October 8. The final list of candidates would be published at 5 pm on October 8.

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More