Strengths and weaknesses of probable Congress presidential candidates

With a miffed Congress high-command likely to push Ashok Gehlot out of the party’s presidential race, five veterans are now in the race.

Days after over 80 Rajasthan Congress MLAs - reportedly loyal to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot - resigned, the chief minister seems to have run out of favours with the Gandhis. With a miffed Congress high-command likely to push Ashok Gehlot out of the party’s presidential race, five veterans are now in the race - Shashi Tharoor, Mukul Wasnik, Mallikarjun Kharge, Digvijay Singh, and KC Venugopal.

Here’s a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the contenders:

StrengthHas won three Lok Sabha elections in a rowIs logical, charismatic and articulateIs popular with the middle classCarries little baggageHas international exposure- worked with the United NationsHas administrative experience: Served as a minister

Also Read | Ashok Gehlot out of Congress prez race, Sonia Gandhi awaits written report on Rajasthan crisis | 10 points

WeaknessComes with the G-23 tag, the group of leaders who demanded an organisational overhaul of the partyMay not get the support of the Gandhi familyIs comparatively new in party: Joined in 2009Lacks mass base and organisational experienceNot very articulate in HindiControversy's favourite child

StrengthHas a vast organisational and administrative experienceBelongs to the Scheduled Caste communityIs the longest-serving General Secretary of the party from the SC communityIs articulate and can communicate in Hindi, English, and MarathiHas headed the NSUI and the Youth Congress

WeaknessWas part of the G-23 dissident groupIs not very charismaticIs not a mass leaderLast won an election in 2009 from the Ramtek Lok Sabha seatAs a party president, he may be controlled by the Gandhis