Wednesday, May 25 2005 12:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi today (May 25, 2005) filed her nomination papers for the post of party chief elections for which, if necessary, will be held on June 9.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, senior party leaders and Union Ministers were present when Sonia filed her nomination papers at the party headquarters in New Delhi today.

Three set of papers, proposed by Manmohan Singh and seconded by Pranab Mukherjee, Shivraj Patil and other senior Ministers and CWC members, were filed before Union Minister Oscar Fernandes, who is the chairman of Central Election Authority of the party.

A total of 180 sets of nomination papers have been filed on behalf of Sonia Gandhi for next month's election of Congress chief's post.

May 27 is the last date for nomination and June 3 is the deadline for withdrawal.