In Pictures: As Congress presidential polls inch closer, Tharoor, Gehlot begin groundwork

With the Congress' much-awaited presidential election right around the corner, the party, for the first time, signalled Wednesday that Rahul Gandhi is not likely to contest. (PTI)

Meanwhile, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, who recently indicated that he will be throwing his hat in the ring, met the party's interim president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi. In this image, Gehlot is seen with party leader Pawan Bansal after his meeting with Sonia Gandhi in the National Capital.

Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor too began the groundwork for filing his nomination papers. He met Madhusudan Mistry, chairman of the Congress Central Election Authority, at the AICC headquarters and discussed election rules and procedures including filing of nomination and campaigning.

Gehlot told Sonia Gandhi that he would contest for the top post if the leadership asks him to do so. He also made it clear that he wants to continue as Chief Minister.

During his meeting with Mistry, Tharoor also had a look at the electoral roll of around 9,000 PCC delegates who will vote in the election.

The Rajasthan chief minister met Sonia Gandhi at her 10, Janpath residence and is expected to fly to Mumbai later in the day. He is expected to reach Kochi on Thursday and make a last-ditch effort to convince Rahul Gandhi to take over the reins of the party.

Tharoor, too, met Sonia Gandhi earlier this week. Sources said that the interim Congress president said she would be neutral in the upcoming elections.