Rahul Gandhi is set to become the president of the Indian National Congress, taking over the mantle from his mother Sonia.

Gandhi, who was Congress vice president for the past five years, filed his nomination papers at the party’s 24 Akbar Road headquarters in New Delhi on Monday. The Congress selects its president through an election, but it is not expected that anyone will challenge Gandhi’s nomination or file papers.

"Rahul Gandhi is a darling of the Congress and he will carry forward the great traditions of the party," said Dr Manmohan Singh.

Among those who signed papers to propose Mr Gandhi as party chief was Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, earlier seen as having been opposed to Rahul Gandhi taking his mother's place to lead the party. "Rahul Gandhi has shown his worth. He's been outstanding in his performance. He will make a good PM" Mr Singh said and also added, "This is my 50th year. Elections have always happened. Why are other parties interfering?"

At an election rally in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at Mr Gandhi. "I congratulate the Congress on their 'Aurangzeb Raj.' For us, the well-being of the people matters and 125 crore Indians are our high command," he said.

Rahul was born in 1970, the first child of Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia and the grandson of Indira Gandhi. He and sister Priyanka have lived their entire lives under the spotlight. Rahul Gandhi was just shy of his 21st birthday when his father Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu in 1991.