GEHLOT PROPOSES HOLDING PRESIDENCY AND CM’S CHAIR TILL BUDGET, FORWARDS CP’S NAME AS HIS SUCCESSOR CM!

New Delhi: As the day of filing nomination for the election of Congress’ Presidency draws near, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot flew to New Delhi on Wednesday to hold a detailed talk with party president Sonia Gandhi on a myriad of issues. However, prior to the meeting, as soon as Gehlot landed at New Delhi airport, he was surrounded by the national media, whom the Rajasthan CM told, “Whatever responsibility the high command will give me, I will fulfill it. My heartful wish is that I should not hold any post anymore. I want to travel with Rahul Gandhi now. The atmosphere that is there in the country today, Congress needs to be strong for this.”

CM Gehlot further said, “Love of the Congress party from across the nation is with me. I will file nomination if asked for it, but it is not a big deal for me, the party has given me a lot. Even without a post, I will stand with Rahul Gandhi. I will take all kinds of responsibility as Chief Minister and President. Where I have been given the responsibility, I am performing it. I will be ready wherever I am given any responsibility, be it in Rajasthan or Delhi. Time will tell where I will be.” Meanwhile, later Gehlot reached 10, Janpath to meet Sonia Gandhi and the meeting during the duo last for nearly two hours during which Congress organization general secretary KC Venugopal, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, senior leader Pawan Bansal were present.

According to highly placed sources, there are two important signs of Sonia GandhiAshok Gehlot meeting. Firstly, Gehlot will hold both the posts i.e. party president and CM for the time being. Secondly, Gehlot will present the budget for 2023-24 in February. Sources revealed that Gehlot will file nomination of September 26-27 and on the other hand, Shashi Tharoor can decide on either not filling the nomination, or withdrawing it, keeping in mind the overall party interest. With this, suspense also rises on who would hold the post of CM in Rajasthan and sources claim that Gehlot could hold the share till budget which could be brought by December. Furthermore, after the budget is brought forward, Gehlot could chair a meeting with MLAs and decide on his successor CM. For this, Dr. CP Joshi is being considered as the front runner as even Gehlot has forwarded CP’s name to Sonia Gandhi for this important assignment. Meanwhile, Sources further claim that after holding a talk with Gehlot on this aspect, Rahul could take a final decision in a day or two. Interestingly, the Pilot camp appears to be unmoved by the ‘signs’ coming from the Sonia-Gehlot meet that the Rajasthan CM could hold both the posts. In fact, sources associated with the Pilot camp have claimed the ‘development’ to be ‘fictional’. The sources claimed on Wednesday, “Sonia Gandhi did not give any such indication duri n g the meeting.” And hence now everyone is waiting for the official response of the high command.

Meanwhile, after meeting Sonia Gandhi, Gehlot gave a statement and stressed that his “first priority is to make Rahul Gandhi the party president.” “All state committees have also demanded Rahul to become president. I will be in Kochi tomorrow (Thursday) to talk to Rahul Gandhi. If Rahul does not agree, then anyone can file a nomination in the election.” On the issue of leaving the post of CM, Gehlot said, “It is wrong that I do not want to leave the post of Chief Minister. I am a disciplined soldier of the party. I will leave the post when the high command orders. The party will decide whether or not I remain the CM if I become the president. I will follow what the high command says. By the way, the one person one position principle does not apply here.” Interestingly, on the question of Sachin Pilot becoming CM, Gehlot stressed that he can not say anything on those lines. Meanwhile, with the ongoing issue, Gehlot tweeted on Wednesday evening, “Rahul Gandhi ji is taking out the Bharat Jodo Yatra and it is from that Yatra that uneasiness has arisen in the Bharatiya Janata Party. The issues they (Rahul Gandhi) have raised, like inflation and unemployment, and with the whole country worried about the situation prevailing inside the country, has irked BJP. The countrymen have started worrying as to how should the Congress become more strong. It is my desire that the party should be strong. For the past 40-50 years I have been on one or the other posts.”