NEW DELHI, Sept 2 � In keeping with the AICC�s decision, Assam Congress has submitted two sets of nomination papers proposing Sonia Gandhi�s candidature for the post of Congress president.
Most of the senior leaders of the Party, over 10 of them including acting Chief Minister, Dr Bhumidhar Barman have flown into the Capital for the occasion, met the Congress president, here this morning, before formally submitting the papers to the Party�s chief electoral officer, Oscar Fernandes.
Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh was present at 10 Jan Path, when the delegation led by PCC president, Bhubaneswar Kalita called on her. The other members of the delegation included Dr Barman, Sarat Borkotoki, Santosh Mohan Dev, Dwijendranath Sarma, Dr Nazrul Islam, Rockybul Hussain, Prithivi Majhi, Jaman Singh Brahma, Syeda Anowara Taimur, and Nazneen Faroque, among others.
Most of these leaders are also signatories on nomination paper, besides Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, who is recuperating in Mumbai after his cardiac surgery.
Among the senior AICC leaders who submitted nomination papers were Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, party general secretary Rahul Gandhi, Motilal Vora and K. Karunakaran.
Before submission of the nomination papers, Sonia Gandhi formally gave her consent to being re-elected to the post. Senior Congress leaders from all states presented her the nomination papers for acceptance.
Sonia Gandhi is likely to visit the party headquarters on Friday to receive the certificate of election from Fernandes.
The last date for filing nominations for the post of Congress president has expired today.
Sonia Gandhi, who is also chairperson of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), first became Congress president in 1998.
Meanwhile, the Assam Congress submitted two sets of nomination with 10 signatories each. Besides, the Sate PCC also extended support to Tamil Nadu Pradesh Congress Committee, when it asked at least four of its elected PCC members sign on the nomination papers from the Southern State. Tamil Nadu PCC had fallen short of signatories, sources said.
Meanwhile, the list of PCC members comprising over 300 names was released, last evening. The list of AICC members being finalised is also likely to be released shortly, said a senior party leader.
Sources said that presidents of State units are also likely to be elected by September 17. Assam Congress president Kalita is expected to be appointed for the third consecutive term unanimously.
Kalita is learnt to have also prepared two sets of nomination papers, which has been signed by senior Congress leaders of the State.
Meanwhile, it has been Dr Barman�s day out in the capital, attending a series of lunches and dinners.
Yesterday, he hosted a lunch at Assam Bhavan for his colleagues. The delegation later attended a dinner hosted by AICC general secretary in-charge for the State and Union Law Minister, M Veerappa Moily. On Thursday, Kalita hosted a lunch for the Congress members including MPs and ex-MPs at Assam House.
