If I want to contest for the the post of party president or not, only a a poll will determine: Rahul Gandhi

Nagercoil Nagercoil, September 9 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday stated that whether he will run for partys presidents position or not, will become known at the time of the poll.

"Whether I am elected president or not will be evident as soon as the elections to the post of president take place.Ive decided in advance what Im going to do, and there is no doubt in my head.

" Gandhi declared: "The election is scheduled to be held in several weeks.If I do not contest you can ask me questions and I will respond.

" He was answering questions about his candidacy in the election.According to sources According to sources, the party is in the process of developing strategies for the presidential election.

However the final decision will be made following Sonia Gandhi returns from abroad following a medical check-up.The major development comes just several weeks before the start of the Congress President elections.

Veterans of the Congress Shashi Tharoor as well as the former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviiraj Chavan are among the likely candidates, according to sources.There isnt information about it.As Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is seen as the front candidate, and is viewed as preferred candidate of the interim chief Sonia Gandhi, even as some people want to see the return of Rahul Gandhi - with Gehlot also putting forward his name, the G-23 which was thought to have made a decision to nominate one candidate in the event that Gandhi stood and has now a lower chance of doing that as it is unclear if Sonia Gandhis decision could be contestable.The last time an election was held for the Congress Presidents office was in 2000 when Jitendra Prsada had contested Sonia Gandhi but lost.

Some G-23 leaders have quit the party, and some have even joined the BJP while others removed themselves from the party.Azad had stated that he was removed from the party.

Manish Tewari has reaffirmed the fact that he isnt a tenant, but an investor in the G-23 party.However the G-23 following the departure of Azad appears to have lost its leadership.

In the meantime, Congress General Secretary, Organisation, K.C.Venugopal stated that the date for the election of the party chief has been announced and those who wish to run for the office must file their nomination by September 30.A portion of Congress members believe Rahul Gandhi should be allowed to assume the presidency, with Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge saying that it is his personal opinion as well as Salman Khurshid has also expressed his support for him.miz/shb.