With the Congress poised to elect its first non-Gandhi president in over 24 years, senior leaders emphasized on Monday that the guidance of the Gandhi family would remain crucial and play a significant role in the party’s future. The upcoming polls hold significance as they mark the replacement of Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving Congress president, who has led the party since 1998, except for the two years between 2017 and 2019 when Rahul Gandhi assumed the role.

Voting for the Congress presidential polls commenced on Monday, with senior leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor contending for the position of AICC chief. The electoral college, comprising over 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates, will select the party chief through a secret ballot.

Following her vote at the AICC headquarters, senior leader Ambika Soni stated to reporters that the Gandhi family’s significance cannot be overlooked, and the party workers’ attachment to them will endure. Soni praised Sonia Gandhi’s contributions, highlighting her key role in forming the UPA government and the Congress’ victory in the 2004 polls, overcoming the BJP’s ‘Shining India’ campaign.

Former Union minister Soni dismissed attempts to separate the Gandhis, asserting that such efforts would never succeed. When asked about the future roles of leaders like herself and Sonia Gandhi, Soni expressed her desire for Sonia-ji to continue as a guide, friend, philosopher, MP, and CLP, emphasizing that Sonia’s role would persist.

Congress general secretary Mukul Wasnik emphasized the Gandhi family’s century-long history and their significant role in the freedom struggle and post-independence nation-building. Wasnik acknowledged Sonia Gandhi’s impending departure after the new president’s election but affirmed that she would continue to be a leader, providing inspiration and guidance.

Rahul Gandhi’s ideas and guidance were deemed invaluable for the party’s future by Wasnik. Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar considered the AICC presidential polls a historical moment, criticizing the BJP’s comments on the process. Kumar highlighted the democratic nature of the Congress party, expressing confidence in the goodwill for the elected president.

Kumar also acknowledged Rahul Gandhi’s ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra and praised his crowd-pulling ability. He emphasized the importance of various leaders within the party, including the Gandhis, Kharge, Tharoor, Sachin Pilot, and Ashok Gehlot.

Both Kharge and Tharoor stressed the special place the Gandhis hold in the party, with Kharge seeking their “guidance” and “suggestions,” and Tharoor asserting that no Congress president can function at a distance from the Gandhi family, as their DNA is deeply ingrained in the party’s ethos. In the post-Independence era, members of the Gandhi family have collectively led the party for approximately 40 years.