Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at the moment gave a transparent indication to the Congress MLAs of the state that he has made up his thoughts to contest for the publish of Congress President in case Rahul Gandhi doesn’t contest. This got here even because the celebration management indicated that members of the Gandhi household, together with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, are unlikely to signal the nomination papers of any candidate as proposers, to indicate that they are going to stay “neutral” and There is not any official. Or Establishment Candidate.
In a shock assembly of Congress MLAs on Tuesday night, Gehlot is known to have stated that he’s a loyal celebration man and no matter determination the management takes, he’ll abide by it. He instructed her that he would meet Sonia in Delhi on Wednesday and journey to Kerala to satisfy Rahul Gandhi to influence him to contest the election “one last time” and are available again as Congress president.
If Rahul doesn’t change his thoughts, he stated, he’ll do what the celebration asks him to do.
Gehlot additionally invited all of the MLAs to return to Delhi in case they file their nomination papers. The week-long window for submitting nomination papers opens on September 24. Sources stated Gehlot could file his nomination papers after September 26.
Revealing his plans to satisfy Rahul in Kochi, attempting to influence him one final time, he stated on the assembly: “If he (Rahul) doesn’t agree, and if the celebration asks me to do one thing – I by no means Where – and if I’ve to fill the shape then I’ll name all of you (to file nomination).
He additionally instructed the MLAs that he would by no means steer clear of Rajasthan.
Speaking to reporters outdoors the chief minister’s residence after the assembly, Rajasthan cupboard minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas stated: “The chief minister said that if he fills the form (for the post of president) it will happen if the party directs him to do so. Will give And he has always followed the (leadership’s instructions).”
Asked who would be the chief minister if Gehlot turns into the celebration president, Khachariyawas stated: “Ashok Gehlot is and would be the chief minister. There is nothing (pointing to the alternative). He stated that he’s not leaving Rajasthan. When Chief Minister Gehlot himself is getting ready the finances, it signifies that the Chief Minister just isn’t going anyplace and can keep in Rajasthan.
But there’s uncertainty over whether or not Gehlot will resign earlier than submitting his nomination. Gehlot is claimed to have wished him to proceed as chief minister for some extra time or have an individual “close” to him appointed as his successor. While Congress sources denied such issues, there’s stress in each the camps of Gehlot and Sachin Pilot.
The Pilot camp desires Gehlot to step down earlier than submitting his nomination papers and a successor be appointed. Pilot’s supporters are apprehensive that if Gehlot stays chief minister and elected Congress president, he could have a “huge role” in selecting his successor and it might not be Pilot.
Pilot reached Kochi on Tuesday to affix the yatra with Rahul.
AICC basic secretary KC Venugopal, who was with Rahul, flew to Delhi and stayed with the Congress president for about an hour. He then formally introduced that the celebration management would stay “neutral”.
“We have already introduced that anybody can contest on this election. This is the stand of the celebration. This can also be the stand of management. Venugopal stated, whoever contests the elections, the management will take a impartial stand.
Shashi Tharoor met Gandhi on Monday Told him that he was contemplating contesting the election for the highest place. While virtually your complete celebration, together with the management, expects a contest, some leaders imagine that there could also be greater than two candidates. It is being stated that like Tharoor, G-23 chief Manish Tewari can also be contemplating coming into the ring. Both are unlikely to contest the election. Tharoor has indicated that he’ll keep away if any member of the Gandhi household is within the fray and Tiwari is claimed to be of the view that the election mustn’t go unopposed.
Meanwhile, three extra states Haryana, Kerala and Jharkhand handed resolutions on Tuesday urging Rahul to turn into the president once more, taking the entire variety of states demanding Rahul’s nomination to 10.
Venugopal stated: “Rahul Gandhi didn’t tell us anything. Nor did he tell us that he would contest the elections… If people have faith in Rahul Gandhi, why don’t Congress workers have faith in him? All the states are demanding…we want Rahul Gandhi (as President)…this is their view. Shouldn’t party leaders have so much freedom?”
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
