Political Position Of Gehlot As Congress President Nominee Remains Undecided
Jaipur, 28th September 2022: The talks between Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress’ high command do not seem to be happening soon. Ashok Gehlot is in Jaipur, ready to go to Delhi, but it is reported that he has not been given time to meet Sonia Gandhi. Earlier, there was news that Gehlot would leave for Delhi at 2 pm. Then Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, a minister close to Ashok Gehlot, said that the Chief Minister would go to Delhi at 5.30 pm. Now sources say that due to lack of time from interim president Sonia Gandhi, the program was postponed till 8 pm.
The news of Gehlot going to Delhi had fueled speculation that he had become a talking point with the party leadership. But the way Gehlot’s departure to Delhi is being postponed is a clear indication that the impasse is still intact. On the other hand, according to what Khachariyawas said after meeting the Chief Minister in Jaipur, the Gehlot camp is still adamant on its point that the coronation of Sachin Pilot is not acceptable.
Pratap Singh Khachariyawas told reporters, on Wednesday, “The Chief Minister will go to Delhi. The journey to Delhi is already scheduled. Gehlot Ji is a senior Congress leader and the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. He will go to Delhi at 5:30. He will convey the spirit of the 102 MLAs to the organization and leadership. He is the guardian of 102 MLAs. The MLAs had told them that it is his job to raise their sentiment, their respect, and their voice. He will do this work because he has spoken. He will tell everything about the MLAs of Rajasthan to the central leadership.”
Khachariyawas says that Gehlot is going to Delhi, but when asked about the timing of the meeting, he also expressed ignorance. On the question of Gehlot contesting the election of Congress President, he also said that he has not spoken to the CM on this. Khachariyawas said, “As far as the nomination is concerned, whether he will fill it or not, it is known to Gehlot Ji or the central leadership.”
Many leaders of the Gehlot camp, including Khachariavas, are constantly reiterating that either Gehlot should be retained as the Chief Minister in Rajasthan or the new CM should be elected from among the 102 MLAs who were in government in 2020 during the rebellion of Sachin Pilot. Minister Shanti Dhariwal even called Pilot a traitor and said that the MLAs of Rajasthan would not tolerate giving him the seat. It is being told that the central leadership wants to make Pilot, who was former state president and deputy chief minister, Gehlot’s successor. But the Gehlot camp is not ready to accept this.
