Rahul Gandhi, the incumbent vice-president of the Congress Party, was declared elected yesterday as the party president, thus keeping the legacy of the Gandhi family's hold over the 132-year old party intact.

89 nominations from various States and Union Territories had been filed proposing and seconding Rahul as the next president of the party.  As no other nomination was filed for the post of the party president, no polling was held and as such, Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as party president became a unanimous one.

Sonia Gandhi, Rahul’s mother and widow of former prime-minister Rajiv Gandhi and daughter-in-law of former prime-minister Indira Gandhi, had been the president of the party for 19 years but of late, her health condition hasn’t been allowing her to get wholly involved in (running) the affairs of the party.  Rahul Gandhi’s name was the natural alternative as president keeping in view the Congress’ past history.

Rahul, however, was reluctant in taking over the party’s reins and was keen in ensuring that he got the support from all levels of the party.  This made the party make a formal announcement of the poll process for the election of its president.  Rahul filed the nomination papers on Monday after seeking the blessings of his mother and other senior leaders of the party.

89 nominations were filed by his supporters from across the country proposing or seconding his name as the next president of the party replacing Sonia Gandhi.  As no nomination was filed for the party president’s post except that of Rahul Gandhi, he was declared elected unopposed.