Congress to meet at Gehlot's residence today to discuss Rajasthan's leadership changes

New Delhi: A resolution pertaining to the transition of leadership in Rajasthan will be passed during a Congress legislative party meeting on Sunday evening at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence in Jaipur.

The resolution will be adopted stating that Sonia Gandhi, the interim leader of the Congress, will decide whether to change Rajasthan's face.

Ashok Gehlot, the chief minister of Rajasthan, is also likely to quit his position prior to submitting his candidacy for Congress President.

Ajay Maken, All India Congress Committee (AICC) in charge of Rajasthan and the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge will both be present at the meeting, which is set to take place on Sunday at 7 p.m.

Ajay Maken met with interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi earlier on Saturday.

Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken have been named by the Congress president as observers for the Rajasthan CLP meeting, which will take place on Sunday at 7 p.m. in Jaipur, according to AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal.

"Congress President has appointed Mallikarjun Kharge as Observer along with Ajay Maken, Gen. Secretary AICC, Incharge of Rajasthan, to attend the meeting of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) of Rajasthan Legislative Assembly slated to be held on 25th September at 7 pm," Venugopal said in a tweet.

On Saturday, nominations for the position of Congress president began, with Ashok Gehlot and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor expected to compete, ANI reported.

The deadline for nominations is September 30, and the new Congress chief will be named on October 19. After Sonia Gandhi succeeded Sitaraman Kesri as party leader in 1998, it will be the first time in 25 years that Congress is led by a non-Gandhi.

When Sitaram Kesri defeated Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot in 1997, the party last had a non-Gandhi leader in that position.

Madhusudan Mistri, the chairman of the Central Election Authority, would be on hand at Congress's national headquarters to accept nominations as returning officer.

Gehlot had previously stated categorically that there would be no Gandhi family member running this time.

Speaking to ANI Gehlot said, "I have requested him (Congress MP Rahul Gandhi) multiple times to accept everyone's proposal of becoming the Congress President. He clarified that no one from the Gandhi family should become the next chief."

Gehlot has publicly declared his intention to run for office up until this point, and Shashi Tharoor, who is also running and has met Madhusudan Mistri, is another candidate who is most likely to challenge Gehlot.

Former union minister Manish Tewari is reportedly considering running for office, according to sources close to him.

The main plot point is that a tripartite or more contest will be taking place within the Congress party.

More than 9,000 delegates will cast ballots, according to Madhusudan Mistri. Anyone may run for office, but a minimum of ten delegates are required to support a candidate. September 30 is the last day to submit a nomination.