Sushil Kumar Shinde is likely to replace Rahul Gandhi as next Congress President, according to media reports. Sushil Kumar Shinde had served as Union Home Minister from 2012 to 2014 and is the front runner for the post of Congress President as Rahul Gandhi decides to quit.

The Gandhi family has also given a green signal to Shinde's appointment as the next Congress chief. 

Senior leaders such as Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot, AK Antony, Mukul Wasnik and Malikarjun Kharge were also considered for the Congress President Post. However, Shinde has emerged as the first choice of the Gandhi family. Shinde has a long political career stretching over four decades and is a known loyalist of the Gandhi family. 

Shinde's taking the post of Congress President will assume significance for Congress in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. Shinde comes from Maharashtra's Solapur and lost the Solapur Lok Sabha seat twice in 2014 and 2019. He also served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from January 18, 2003, to October 2004.