Sonia Gandhi

CM Gehlot, who arrived in the national capital on Wednesday morning, had told the media ahead of the meeting that he will not back out from any responsibility. "I will not back out from any responsibility and will serve the party wherever and in whichever capacity I am required in this hour of crisis," he said. However, he said the party wants Rahul Gandhi to take over as the party president.

Sonia Gandhi gave her nod shortly after meeting Tharoor and a few other Congress leaders on her return following a medical check-up abroad. Tharoor, who was one of the G-23 members of the party who had demanded sweeping reforms in the Congress, is now likely to throw his hat into the ring for the race to the top party post, voting for which will be held on October 17.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh responding to a questions said that, "opposition unity does not mean that Congress should be weak and our allies should understand that they will not allow Congress to weaken and a strong Congress will be the pillar in opposition unity." He said that Rahul Gandhi's yatra is for strengthening the Congress and if the opposition gets united it is good.

The separate affidavits filed by the Gandhis were in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking registration of an FIR against them for alleged hate speeches delivered during anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 protests which led to the Delhi riots in February 2020.

As soon as the article became public, it gave rise to speculation that he might throw his hat in the ring to contest for the top post, but on Tuesday he clarified to the media saying: "I never said that I will contest, the rest can be discussed later," said Tharoor before driving away. Meanwhile, one will have to wait a bit to know if Tharoor is actually in the contest as the last date for filing of the nomination to the top post is September 30, according to the notification that has been brought out by AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C.Venugopal.

While some G-23 leaders have left the party and some even joined the BJP while some others had distanced themselves, Azad had said that he has been forced to leave and Manish Tewari has reiterated that he is not a tenant but a shareholder in the party. However, the G-23, after exit of Azad, seems to have become rather leaderless.

He sent his resignation letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Azad said that he has severed all ties with the Congress. In his resignation letter, Azad said that he was tendering his resignation with a "heavy" heart. He said that before starting 'Bharat Jodo', the Congress should have started the 'Congress Jodo'.

"Congress President Sonia Gandhi will be travelling abroad for medical check-ups. She will also visit her ailing mother before she returns to Delhi. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be travelling with the Congress President," Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a statement on Tuesday night.

"A virtual meeting of the CWC will be held on the 28th August, 2022 at 3:30 PM, to approve the exact schedule of dates for the election of the Congress President. Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi will preside over the CWC meeting," tweeted K.C. Venugopal, party General Secretary Organisation.

The Central Election Authority of the Congress is awaiting a nod from the party's working committee to announce the schedule for electing the next Congress President as the grand old party is still in search of a consensus candidate for the top post after refusal by Rahul Gandhi.