Rahul Gandhi is tipped to take over as Congress president in the next few weeks (PTI)

"I officially end all relationship with @Shehzad_Ind [Shehzad Poonawalla]. I have never been this hurt," Tehseen Poonawalla, a known Congress sympathiser and the brother-in-law of Priyanka Gandhi's husband Robert Vadra, proclaimed on Twitter last night.

There was more. "This is unacceptable. Im very very hurt today. Been stabbed in the back." And, more. "I love Shehzad to death. I got him up like my son. He backstabbed me." And, even more. "Just heartbroken."

The issue at hand was Rahul Gandhi's elevation from Congress vice-president to party president, and party office-bearer Shehzad Poonawalla's comments that the Grand Old Party's election process for that elevation was 'rigged'.

While the controversy erupted late last night, Shehzad doubled down on his allegations today morning. Speaking to news agency ANI, Shehzad, a secretary in Maharashtra Congress, said, "I have got info that the delegates who are going to vote for the party president elections are fixed, its rigged. They have been appointed for their loyalty."

Tehseen, who recognises himself as the party's "most passionate supporter", is yet to comment on his brother's statements from today, but last night, he was out on Twitter, defending the Congress and Rahul Gandhi.

"Anyone in the @INCIndia [Indian National Congress]can contest against @OfficeOfRG [Rahul Gandhi]. If @Shehzad_Ind [Shehzad] wants he should contest," Tehseen said in a post.

I officially end all relationship with @Shehzad_Ind . I have never been this hurt. We needed to defeat the BJP. This is unacceptable . Im very very hurt today . Been stabbed in the back ..And how November 29, 2017

Meanwhile, Shehzad continued furthering his argument. "We have many good leaders - we need more merit & talent in politics & less dynasty (sic)," he said in one Twitter post.

"I am an active Maharashtra Congress Secretary & nobody had any problems till today but new stories to target me will come :) prepared for it- I want Non Dynasts & Merit over Dynasty !! Am I wrong?" another of his posts read.

The two brothers never directly addressed or replied to each other, but Shehzad in one of his posts said, "Thank u - @tehseenp [Tehseen] is not insane - he loves his family - i love my country more :)"

The controversy erupted late last night and doesn't seem to be dying down soon. Shehzad reiterated his claims today morning. Speaking to news agency ANI, Shehzad called the Congress presidential poll a "selection and not an election" and a "sham".

"The upcoming Congress president election is a selection and not an election. It's a sham election process," Shehzad said. "I think there should be only one ticket in one family, be it Shehzad Poonawalla or Rahul Gandhi."

"I have got info that the delegates who are going to vote for the party president elections are fixed, its rigged. They have been appointed for their loyalty. Yes It takes courage to speak out, there will be all kinds of attacks against me,but I have facts," Shehzad went on to say.

The upcoming Congress president election is a selection and not an election. Its a sham election process: Shehzad Poonawalla,Maharashtra Congress Secretary pic.twitter.com/TdQSXs98Wq - ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2017

Rahul Gandhi is widely expected to take over as Congress president before the end of this year. The Grand Old Party has already announced the schedule of its presidential poll.

The last date of filing nominations is December 4; if nobody apart from Rahul files nominations, the Gandhi scion would effectively become party chief pending a formal announcement.

If somebody other than Rahul Gandhi does file a nomination, then voting will be held on December 16 and counting on December 19, just a day after results for the crucial assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh will be announced.

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