Courtiers planning to bring in dummy candidate: Shehzad Poonawalla on Congress president election

In an indirect reference to Rahul Gandhi and his political advisors, the Congress leader alleged that his "sources" had told him that the party's "courtiers" would bring in a dummy candidate for the election.

"My sources are telling me that there is talk among the courtiers that a dummy candidate should be brought in so that this looks like an election. However, now they cannot throw dust in the eyes of the people (fool the people).

Shehzad Poonawalla had recently alleged that the party's presidential elections were rigged.

He had said that they are a "selection", not an "election" and claimed that he had information that the delegates who will vote in the election for the post of party president had been appointed for their loyalty.

Shehzad Poonawalla had alleged that he called Rahul Gandhi's office to "ask him for his time" but that the Congress leader's office insulted him.

Poonawala said he had wanted to meet Gandhi to show him proof that the Congress presidential elections were rigged before he filed his nomination.

The last day for filing of nominations is today.

Polling -- if necessary -- will take place on December 16 in case any other candidate other than Rahul Gandhi files his nomination.

The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 19.

If there is no candidate other than Rahul Gandhi, the Congress will declare him president of the party on the last date of scrutiny.