New Delhi: Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday ruled himself out of the party presidential race. “Whoever becomes Congress president should remember he represents a set of ideas, a belief system and a vision of India. Congress president is not just an organisational post, it is an ideological post and a belief system”, said Rahul, clearing the deck for non-Gandhi Congress president after 25 years. For the unversed, Sitaram Kesri was the last non-Gandhi president. He had won the Congress president’s election in 1997 defeating rivals Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot. However, he was removed from the post on March 5, 1998.
Key Takeaways From Rahul Gandhi Address

Hope Udaipur resolution on ‘One Man-One Post is maintained.
We have a very clear view on what needs to be done in UP, says Rahul Gandhi on why Bharat Jodo Yatra not spending more time there.
Whoever becomes Congress president should remember he represents a set of ideas, a belief system and a vision of India, said Gandhi
Ruling himself out of the presidential race, Rahul asserted Congress president is not just an organisational post, it is an ideological post and a belief system.
All forms of communalism regardless of where they come from should be combated. There should be zero tolerance towards it: Rahul Gandhi on PFI raids.

Gehlot vs Tharoor vs Tewari
Amid hectic political lobbying, there is a likely contest between Ashok Gehlot and Shashi Tharoor. Gehlot, a Gandhi family loyalist is tipped to file his nomination next week for the president’s post. However, he is reluctant to leave the Chief Minister’s chair in the state. He had met Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi and the meeting lasted for two hours, after which he left for Kerala to join Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’.
On the other hand, Tharoor who is not known to be a Nehru-Gandhi family loyalist is also considered to be a frontrunner for the top post. However, Tharoor was one of the 23 Congress leaders – popularly known as G-23 – who wrote a letter to Sonia demanding an overhaul in decision-making at the top level.
Besides, former Union Minister Manish Tewari is also preparing to contest the Congress presidential poll, sources close to him revealed that he was in his constituency to meet the state party delegates who are the voters in the election.
Sources said that Sonia Gandhi asserted that the poll will be fair and she will not endorse any candidate.
Congress President Election 2022 Schedule

The Congress’ central election authority on Thursday issued notification for the Congress president polls. According to the notification, while the nomination forms will be available from Thursday, the filing of nominations will be held between September 24 and 30.
Scrutiny of nomination will take place on October 1, and the same day, a valid candidate list will be published.
The last date of withdrawal is October 8 following which, a final list will be brought out.
The poll will be held on October 17 and counting will take place on October 19.
Every candidate requires 10 Pradesh Congress committee delegates to propose his/her name for the candidature.