Nobody knows the future: Gehlot downplays presidency speculation

New Delhi: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday sought to downplay speculation that he could be made Congress chief, saying nobody knows what will be decided. Gehlot’s meeting with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi led to the buzz that the two may have discussed the possibility of him being next party prez.

“Sonia ji has gone abroad for a checkup. (K C) Venugopal ji and me paid a courtesy call on her yesterday when we were going to Gujarat,” he told reporters. Asked about the possibility of him being Congress president, Gehlot said, “This has been doing the rounds in the media for a long time. You keep talking about it. Nobody knows what is going to be decided.” Pressed by reporters on the party presidency question, Gehlot shot back, “Has anybody briefed you at AICC, no one has done that. Media keeps on speculating till a decision is made.” The CM added that he is concentrating on the two responsibilities given to him — senior observer for Gujarat polls and chief minister of Rajasthan. Gehlot said, “My effort is to get Congress victory in the Gujarat elections and then get the government repeated in Rajasthan. I have come from Gujarat, Congress is in very good condition in Gujarat and Congress can win the elections.”