'Shashi Tharoor should not contest': Congress leaders from Kerala want Rahul Gandhi as party chief

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is prepping for the party presidential poll, is finding resistance from leaders of his home state as the clamour for Rahul Gandhi's return grows.

In two days, nomination for the Congress' president election starts. But MP Shashi Tharoor, who announced his intention to contest the poll, is finding no backing from the leaders of his home state of Kerala.

Many of them want Rahul Gandhi to return as chief, and the chorus is growing louder with more state units passing resolutions demanding the Wayanad MP take over the reins of the party.

Congress’ chief whip in the Lok Sabha, K Suresh, told India Today, "Shashi Tharoor should not contest. There should be a consensus on a candidate. We are still requesting Rahul Gandhi to become Congress president."

Many Congress leaders and workers attribute the "tremendous response" that Bharat Jodo Yatra is getting to Rahul Gandhi.

Another MP, Benny Behanan, said Tharoor would follow the decision of the party high command.

"I don't think Shashi Tharoor will contest, and he will follow the decision of the party high command," he said.

According to Congress sources, efforts are on to ensure that there should be a ‘consensus’ candidate. But with Tharoor meeting Sonia Gandhi and expressing his desire to compete, the race has become an interesting contest.