Rahul Gandhi named chief of India’s Congress party

Rahul Gandhi is set to take over as the chief of Congress, with the party today formally announcing his election as the party president.

He was the only one to file nomination last week and has been elected unopposed, Congress's Mullappally Ramachandran told NDTV.

Rahul will take his mother Sonia Gandhi's place as the Congress party's chief whip. For the post of party president, the last date for withdrawing one's candidature is today.

Since his candidature has remained unchallenged and since he is backed by the entire rank and file of the party, he is to be officially named as Congress President today, the NDTV reported.

Rahul has already been taking all major decisions in the party even though his formal elevation was delayed due to a long-drawn internal election process.

He would, however, formally take charge of the party from Sonia Gandhi, 70, on Saturday, December 16.