Pro-Gehlot MLAs mint strategy at Shanti Dhariwal’s residence

Jaipur: MLAs considered close to Chief Minister Gehlot met under the leadership of Cabinet Minister Shanti Dhariwal. This meeting was seen as an attempt to put pressure on the party high command to pick a Gehlot loyalist as his successor in case he is elevated to the post of the Congress national president and required to quit as the CM in line with Rahul Gandhi’s ‘one-party, one-position’ policy. The meeting is also seen as an attempt to thwart the possibility of senior party leader Sachin Pilot being made the next CM. Some participants said Gehlot’s successor should be someone who was instrumental in saving the government during the political crisis in 2020 and not someone who was involved in toppling it, a veiled reference to Pilot.

“If the decision is not taken keeping the MLAs’ sentiments in mind, the government will be in danger,” independent legislator and advisor to the CM, Sanyam Lodha, who participated in the meeting, said. Another leader Govind Ram Meghwal said Gehlot can shoulder both roles, that of the CM as well as the party’s national president. “We want CM Gehlot to remain. Sanyam Lodha is a seasoned person, whatever he has said, he has said it after thinking,” he said. Minister Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya said, “Gehlot should remain the CM.” Minister of Minority Affairs Department Saleh Mohammad congratulated Gehlot in advance for continuing as the CM. The supporters MLAs of Sachin Pilot also negotiated the next strategy at his residence.