Final decision on official faction’s candidate for Congress presidential polls after Sonia’s return

New Delhi, 4/9: A final decision on official faction’s candidate for the Congress presidential poll will be taken after Sonia Gandhi returns from abroad on September 10, as Rahul Gandhi continues to remain adamant on not returning to party’s helm while Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot still appears to be reluctant to take the mantle.

Sources said Sonia will have consultations with leaders, including Gehlot, after she returns from abroad where she had gone for a medical check-up. The G-23 or change-seekers is also moving ahead to field a candidate with Shashi Tharoor appears to be inspecting the pitch. The group have demanded publicising electoral rolls.

Gehlot is reluctant to leave Rajasthan, especially when the Assembly elections are just a year away as he wants to try his luck once again. Sources said he is not ready to fight the organisational poll though Sonia herself had urged him to lead the party.