Ahead of the election for the Congress chief post, the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) on Sunday passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the party’s national president.

The Congress had last month said the election for its president would be held on October 17 and the result will be announced on October 19. If only one candidate is left in the fray after the withdrawal of nominations, the name of the president will be declared on October 8 itself, the party said.

The last election for the post was held in November 2000.

The resolution was passed in a meeting of 310 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates, who will vote in party’s presidential election, from Chhattisgarh chaired by Hussain Dalwai, state Congress communication wing head Sushil Anand Shukla said, PTI reported.

Chhattisgarh Congress president Mohan Markam, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, AICC general secretary P L Punia, and state ministers attended the meeting held at Rajiv Bhawan, the ruling party’s state office.

Speaking to media, CM Baghel said he had moved the resolution for appointing Rahul Gandhi as the party’s president, which was backed by PCC chief Mohan Markam, state Assembly Speaker Charan Das Mahant, ministers TS Singh Deo, Shivkumar Dahariya and Premsai Singh Tekam.

“If similar resolutions are passed in other states, then Rahul ji should rethink over it as the party’s presidential election is nearing. Keeping in view the sentiments of all party workers, I think Rahul ji will agree (to become party chief),” he said.

The Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) on Saturday unanimously passed a similar resolution.

“Resolution passed that everyone will abide by whatever the national president decides on, incl appointment of state presidents. Another resolution moved by CM (Ashok Gehlot) to appoint Rahul Gandhi as party president has also been passed,” said Rajasthan Minister PS Khachariyawas.