What Shashi Tharoor Said After Losing Congress President Polls
The losing candidate in the Congress presidential election, Shashi Tharoor, complimented the victor, Mallikarjun Kharge, and declared that he believed the party’s resurgence “had genuinely begun tonight.”
He described the incoming party leader as a senior colleague who “brings ample leadership and expertise to the table” and expressed confidence that, under Mr. Kharge’s leadership, “we can all together push the party to new heights.” Sonia Gandhi, the outgoing president, was also recognised for her support of the party.
Immediately following the announcement of the results, Mr. Tharoor hailed his own team of party members “for their extraordinary efforts against unfathomable odds to keep our campaign running” in addition to applauding Mr. Kharge.
Mr Tharoor tweeted: “It is a great honour & a huge responsibility to be President of @INCIndia &I wish @Kharge ji all success in that task. It was a privilege to have received the support of over a thousand colleagues,& to carry the hopes& aspirations of so many well-wishers of Congress across India.”
Mr. Tharoor garnered 1,072 votes, while Mr. Kharge received 7,897.
Soon after the poll result was declared, Mr Tharoor called on Mr Kharge at his residence to congratulate him. He later tweeted: “Called on our new President-elect Mallikarjun Kharge to congratulate him and offer him my full cooperation. Congress has been strengthened by our contest.”
Thanking his team of dedicated volunteer colleagues who worked for him during the campaign, Mr Tharoor added: “My special thanks to my dedicated, idealist and enthusiastic volunteer team of party colleagues for their amazing efforts against impossible odds to keep our campaign going.”
