Rahul chosen by the party: Ashok Chavan

Mumbai: A day after Maharashtra Congress office bearer Shehzad Poonawalla criticised the party president election, Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan termed it a “publicity stunt” and said that Mr Poonawalla was not even representing the state.

Mr Chavan said, “The statement by Mr Poonawalla was a publicity stunt. He is not even representing the state Congress party and hence. his statement is not so important. Mr Poonawalla has not done anything for the party except hogging the limelight.”

Mr Poonawalla on Wednesday said that the process of organising elections for party president was manipulated to elevate Rahul Gandhi. He even challenged Mr Gandhi’s leadership and criticised dynasty politics. Notably, Mr Poonawalla’s brother, Tehseen, is married to Mr Gandhi’s brother-in-law Robert Vadra’s sister Monicka.

Supporting Mr Gandhi’s elevation to the post of party president, Mr Chavan further said that it was the Congress workers’ wish.

“The newly-appointed Congress party office bearers have passed a resolution that Mr Gandhi should contest party president polls. The central committee of the party has already announced the programme for the president’s post. However, Mr Poonawalla has made the statement to get publicity. We, the Maharashtra Congress committee, condemn his statement," Mr Chavan said.

In May last year, Congress workers in Pune protested Mr Poonawalla’s assuming charge as Maharashtra Congress secretary while visiting the state for the first time. The workers shouted anti-Mr Poonawalla slogans and did not allow him to speak.