The highest decision-making body of India’s main opposition party Congress today decided to make Rahul Gandhi its president replacing his mother Sonia Gandhi.

The policy making body also announced election in the top posts of the party scheduled to be held on December 16 while the votes will be counted on December 19, reports our correspondent from New Delhi.

Announcing the schedule at a press conference after a meeting of Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party’s spokesman Randeep Surjewala said the polls notification will be issued on December 1 and the nomination and scrutiny process will be completed by December 5.

The last date for withdrawal of nomination is December 11. Voting, if needed, will be held on December 16 and results will be declared on December 19, he said.

Surjewala said CWC members have unanimously passed a resolution to elevate Rahul Gandhi as the Congress president.

Sonia Gandhi, who chaired the CWC meeting, is likely to step down from the role of the party chief but could continue as chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party.

“Sonia Gandhi is our leader and mentor. She has always guided Congress. Her able leadership and guidance will always be available. Not only to Rahulji, also to the thousands of the party worker,” Surjewala said.

Sonia, who heads Congress for a record time of more than 19 consecutive years after taking over from Sitaram Kesari in March 1998, said last month that Rahul would soon take over the reins of the party.