<P> Since the party was established in 1885, 60 people have served as president . The first, Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee presided over the first session of the Indian National Congress held at Bombay in 1885 from 28 December to 31 December . The most recently serving president is Rahul Gandhi . The president of INC at the time of India's independence was J.B. Kripalani . Annie Besant was the first woman president of INC whereas, Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman president . There are six members of Nehru--Gandhi family who have been Congress Presidents . </P> <P> During 1885 - 1933, the presidency had a term of 1 year only . Traditionally, the post rotated between prominent members of the party, successive terms for same person being frowned upon . During Jawaharlal Nehru's premiership, he rarely held the Presidency of INC, even though he was always head of the Legislative Party . </P> <P> Indira Gandhi however, institutionalized the practice of having the same person as the Congress President and the Prime Minister after the first Congress split of 1969 . Her son Rajiv Gandhi continued that practice . </P> <P> Narasimha Rao, too held both the Congress President and the Prime Minister's posts . Sitaram Kesri held the post after INC was voted out . But as the INC never returned to power under his leadership, he didn't hold the two posts together . </P>

Who continued for six years as the congress president