Thousands gather as Rahul Gandhi files election papers

Sultanpur: Thousands cheered and showered flower petals on Rahul Gandhi, the scion of Indian politics' first family, as he filed his nomination papers on Saturday for elections that begin later this month.

The 38-year-old Gandhi, a fourth generation political leader, will contest for a second term in Parliament from the Amethi district in Uttar Pradesh, India's largest and most politically important state.

The district has been represented by his father, former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, and his mother, Sonia Gandhi, who now heads the ruling Congress party.

Gandhi is not being projected as a candidate for prime minister in the upcoming election. That position will go to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who will serve a second term if Congress is voted back to power, party officials have said. Still, Gandhi is viewed as a potential leader and eventual candidate for the country's top post.