Shashi Tharoor with newly-elected Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who lost the Congress presidential election, praised the winning candidate, Mallikarjun Kharge, saying he felt that the revival of the party "has truly begun today". He said the new party President is a colleague and senior "who brings ample leadership and experience to the table" and exuded confidence that under the guidance of Mr Kharge, "we can all collectively take the party to new heights". He also thanked outgoing President Sonia Gandhi for her contributions to the party.
In a statement issued just after the result was announced, Mr Tharoor, while congratulating Mr Kharge, also thanked his own team of party colleagues "for their amazing efforts against impossible odds to keep our campaign going".
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."
While Mr Kharge received 7,897 votes, Mr Tharoor polled 1,072 votes.
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."
Praising Sonia Gandhi, Mr Tharoor said in his statement: "At this crucial time in the party's history and for our collective future, we owe an irredeemable debt to our outgoing President, Sonia Gandhi, for her quarter century of leadership of the party and for being our anchor during our most crucial moments. Her decision to authorise this election process, which has given us new pathways to the future, is undoubtedly a fitting testament to her sagacity and vision for our party."
He also thanked Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for ensuring "free and neutral elections" and said that the Nehru-Gandhi family has and will always hold a special place in the hearts of Congress party members.
Expressing his gratitude towards 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."