Rajasthan Congress’ high drama nearly turned the grand old party’s presidential poll into a tamasha. Fortunately, for the Congress, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot decided to bring down the curtains and on Thursday last announced he won’t be contesting for the top party seat.

Not only did he take moral responsibility for the political crisis in his State, wherein MLAs supporting him defied central observers and blocked the holding of the legislator’s meeting, but apologised to the top command Sonia Gandhi and left it to her whether he shall retain the CM kursi.

The focus has since shifted to 24 Akbar Road, AICC headquarters in New Delhi. Veteran leader and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, filed his nomination on Friday last and his challenger will be MP and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor. This after senior leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh decided not to run for the post and back Kharge.

Polling is to take place on October 17 and the winner will be announced on October 19. With the last date of nominations over, the party can heave a sigh of relief there shall be no more dramas.

The big question, however, is will there be a contest at the end of the day? Or will the party, which will have a non-Gandhi elected after over two decades, opt for a consensus chief? And say: All’s well that ends well!

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