Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president unopposed, to take charge on Dec 16

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday named Rahul Gandhi its new president.

"I hereby declare Shri Rahul Gandhi elected as the president of the Indian National Congress," senior party leader Mullappally Ramachandran said at a press conference in New Delhi.

While making the announcement, Ramachandran, who is also the All India Congress Commitee's returning officer for the election, added that all 89 nominations proposals were found to be valid, and Rahul had been elevated to the top post since he was the only candidate in the fray.

The 47-year-old leader will take over the reins of the party from his mother and current president, Sonia Gandhi, on December 16. Sonia has held the position for 19 years.

The announcement of his elevation came after the time for withdrawal of nominations had lapsed.

Rahul had taken over as the party's vice-president in January 2013.

"The entire country has lots of expectations from Rahul Gandhi. Much before he was elected, he has shown his mettle. He knows his responsibility," senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said.



(With inputs from agencies)

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