“Only Rahul can challenge Modi…”: Ashok Gehlot on the day Mallikarjun Kharge takes charge as Congress President.

Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister, and Congress leader, on Wednesday, said that the efforts continued till the last minute to make Rahul Gandhi the president of the Grand Old Party since he is the only one who can challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government.

Gehlot said, “The leadership that Sonia Gandhi Ji led for 22 years will always be remembered. We all requested her in 1998 to take over as the party president, otherwise, the party would be shattered. She took the challenge in the interest of the Congress party despite having language issues. After that, she was Congress President for 22 years, and governments were formed in 13 states at that time. She performed very well as a party chief, which no one can forget. He further said that it was Rahul Gandhi’s desire that, for once, a non-Gandhi should become the President of the party.
“It was Rahul Gandhi’s desire that, for once, a non-Gandhi should become the President of the party. However, till the last minute, efforts were made to make Rahul Gandhi the party president as only he could challenge Modi and the government, “said Gehlot.

“Today is a new beginning. We congratulate Mallikarjun Kharge Ji and will work to strengthen the party, “Gehlot said.

Before entering office, freshly elected Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the nation’s capital. 
In the nation’s capital, Kharge also presented floral tributes to former leaders Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi at Shanti Van and Shakti Sthal, respectively. 
At Samta Sthal, he also paid respects to Dalit hero and freedom fighter Jagjivan Ram.

At a ceremony later in the day at the Congress headquarters here, the seasoned leader will assume leadership as the All India Congress Committee (AICC) President. Kharge will receive an election certificate from Sonia Gandhi on the occasion.

Kharge will be the first non-Nehru-Gandhi family member to lead the Congress in 24 years. 
At Congress’ main office, preparations are underway for Kharge’s swearing-in event. 
The program is open to all members of the Congress Working Committee, MPs, Pradesh Congress Committee presidents, CLP leaders, past Chief Ministers, former State Presidents, and other AICC office bearers. 
All of the aforementioned parties have been invited by the organization’s general secretary, KC Venugopal. 
Bhupesh Baghel, the chief minister of Chhattisgarh, had indicated he would attend the occasion as well.

Mallikarjun Kharge will take charge as the national president of the Congress party. I, too, have been asked to be present at the occasion. So, I am going to Delhi, “he said in Raipur.

After 24 years, Kharge became the first non-Gandhi to hold the position after vastly outperforming Shashi Tharoor in the contest for the party’s top position. 
In the presidential election, which was held on October 17, Kharge received 7,897 votes, while Tharoor received 1,072.