Mallikarjun Kharge is not my enemy: Shashi Tharoor on Congress poll

Guwahati: Congress presidential election candidate Shashi Tharoor said his competitor Mallikarjun Kharge is not his enemy. He said: "Kharge sir is my leader too."

The Thiruvananthapuram MP described himself as the candidate for change in Congress. He was speaking to followers in Guwahati and clarified that those who support him are not rebels or against the Gandhis. "This is a wrong notion. The Gandhis are always with the Congress, so are we." He added that whoever wins the election, it will be a victory for Congress.

Speaking about the competition, Tharoor said he had always expected there would be a senior candidate and other senior leaders would rally around that person. "That's apparent with his (Kharge's) nomination form and the signatures there and his campaign trail. Wherever he goes, there are veterans around him. But wherever I am going, there are simple citizens."

He stated that Congress will work for the people of India under a new party president. "One of the main tasks of the new President is to reach out to other parties for the 2024 national election. Our first test will be on creating a new national alliance."

Speaking about his plans if he is elected chief, he said he will try to stop Congress leaders from quitting the party and joining BJP. "This will be a key issue that I will handle if I am elected President."