He always had a chance. As per original trend, RG was never goign to be the PM candidate anyway, it was after Modi turned it into a presidential election that pressures on him increased. But I guess now they're clear that there is too much risk of failure to justify risking his 'good' name
Congress 1st choice would have been Pranab, but he's been sent 'upwards'. Remaning heavy weitghts are Chidambaram (very liked by MMS. He's a Harvard Business School MBA, so understood and worked well with MMS on economics). Shinde is the new heavywight but is known to be venal, goon like ex-Sub Inspector. Recent events have taken the gloss off him. If you notice the Home Secretary who accused Shinde yesterday was asked by NDTV who was a better HM and he laughed and asked- is there a question- Chidambaram is a 1000 times better. Everyone worked with Chiddu has a great opinion about him.
Everyone except subramania swamy of course- and that has an epic, interesting story behind it that I'll tell you sometime