Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi called Congress President Ms. Sonia Gandhi on Thursday to congratulate her on becoming the party's President for the fourth consecutive term.

A total of 56 nominations were filed supporting Sonia Gandhi's candidature. This included nominations from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherjee and Rahul Gandhi. Fifty-five of the total fifty-six nomination papers were accepted by the party's Central Election Authority Oscar Fernandez. Ms. Gandhi will be formally re-elected as President in a simple function on Friday.

Praising Sonia Gandhi's contribution to the party and the country, CM Karunanidhi hailed the bravado of Sonia. "Sonia's dedication in improving the party’s stature in India and its commitment to alliances have been exemplary," he said.

Sonia Gandhi already holds the record of having served as the Congress president for 12 consecutive years since 1998. She is the fifth member of the Nehru-Gandhi family to hold the post.

It was also decided that the elections for the Working Committee members and its leaders will be held on the 17th of this month.