In a generational shift at the top in the Congress, Rahul Gandhi is all set to take over as party president next week after he filed his nomination papers on Monday for the post amid opposition jibes over dynasty politics in a contest with no one else in the fray. The 47-year-old Gandhi, who will be the sixth Nehru-Gandhi scion to helm the party, filed papers at the Congress headquarters here amid cheers and celebrations by party leaders and workers. His mother and incumbent party president Sonia Gandhi signed the first nomination paper for election of her son. Among the proposers was former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who called Rahul Gandhi the "darling" of the party. Singh accompanied Gandhi when he filed the nomination paper.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi being garlanded by party workers after he filed his nomination papers on Monday. Pic/PTI