Congress presidential elections: Mallikarjun Kharge says Gandhi family is 'neutral'

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who has emerged as the clear favourite in the Congress presidential polls, reiterated his claim that the Gandhi family is neutral regarding the elections.

Kharge, a Gandhi family loyalist, said on Tuesday that this is an impartial election.

The veteran Congress leader is in a direct contest with Shashi Tharoor in the presidential elections to be held on October 17.

According to news agency ANI, the Congress leader from Karnataka said every section of Congress leaders asked him to contest in the elections. "To strengthen the party and to save the Constitution of India, I agreed."

Meanwhile, Tharoor, who made an aggressive bid for the post, claimed that Rahul Gandhi was asked by some party leaders to seek withdrawal of Tharoor's candidature, but refused to do so.

Tharoor said Gandhi told those who approached him with the request that a contest would benefit the party.

"He (Gandhi) also told me that some persons have asked him to request me to withdraw my candidature. He told me he will not do so. He said I should not withdraw and that I should contest in the election," Tharoor was quoted as saying.

Kharge had, a few days ago, said he entered the race not to oppose anyone, but to strengthen the party. Refuting suggestions that the Gandhi family was backing him, he said he is contesting as many leaders requested him to do so.

More than 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates will vote in the polls.