Chavan endorses Kharge's seniority, track record

REFUTING the existence of the ginger group G-23, senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Pritviraj Chavan said that Shashi Tharoor's decision to contest for the post of Congress president was a unilateral one and he hadn't consulted the leaders before joining the race. Speaking to this paper, Chavan said, "After Tharoor made up his mind, he could have called up and discussed with us. We might have explored possibilities. If Tharoor had consulted us, I cant't say whether we would have accepted it or not, but... What we would have done is a matter of conjecture," said Chavan.

- PREETHA NAIR

Chavan and Tharoor are among the leaders who were part of the ginger group known as G-23, who wrote to the Congress leadership demanding sweeping reforms in the party two years back.

As the picture of Congress presidential election became clearer on Friday with Lok Sabha MP Tharoor and veteran leader Mallikarjun Kharge emerging as main contenders, the most surprising move came from G-23 leaders, including Manish Tewari and Chavan who endorsed Kharge, who is widely seen as the official candidate.

Explaining his reasons for backing Kharge, Chavan said that a group of leaders including him, in a late night meeting on Thursday, decided that if the party put up a solid candidate, they would endorse him.