New Delhi, June 20: Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who has been adamant on leaving the post, on Thursday shed some light on how his successor will be chosen. Rahul Gandhi said he is not involved in the process of selecting the new Congress president, adding that there has to be "accountability in the system". He said his party will decide on who his successor will be and not him.

"I am not going to get involved in that process, otherwise it will complicate things and the party has to decide," Gandhi was quoted as saying. The Congress President has decided to step down from the top post following the party's dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections when it won only 52 seats. The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body of the party, refused to accept his resignation. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Appointed As Congress Lok Sabha Leader As Rahul Gandhi Remains Reluctant.

Gandhi also reiterated his stand on the Rafale deal saying that there was "theft". Responding to a question about Rafale finding a mention in President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament, the Congress chief said: "I maintain my stand that there has been theft in the Rafale jet deal." The government has denied any corruption, wrongdoing or favouritism in the deal. Rahul Gandhi 49th Birthday: PM Narendra Modi Wishes Good Health, Long Life to Congress President.

Earlier, Congress's senior-most leaders A K Antony turned down an offer to be the party President. Antony, a former Defence Minister and a trusted man for the Gandhi family, cited health issues as a reason for not taking up the job. His name was proposed by Ahmed Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad, who have been tasked to look for a face outside the Gandhi family to lead the party. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal also declined to accept the post of Working President offered to him.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 20, 2019 03:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).