Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot reached Delhi on Wednesday and it has become clear from what he said in a conversation with journalists that he would continue as the National President of the Congress as well as the Chief Minister.
He made it clear to the journalists that, “We had passed the party’s resolutions. A nominee cannot hold two posts at once. Anyone can contest the post for which there is an open election whether he is a minister, chief minister, MLA, or MP. The election of the new Congress president is open. It can be contested by anyone. There are nine thousand PCC delegates.”
Gehlot’s replies to journalists made it clear that after winning the election of Congress President, he will continue to be the Chief Minister too.
The Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, is going to be the new President of Congress. His election seems to be formal one. On Wednesday, Gehlot met Congress President Sonia Gandhi at her official residence, 10 Janpath. It is understood that he discussed the future strategy along with the discussion of filing nomination.
After the meeting, Gehlot left for Mumbai. From there, he would reach Kochi on Thursday and once again appeal to Rahul Gandhi to take over as president. Gehlot will return to Jaipur on the evening of 23 August. Then he will come to Delhi in Navratras and file a nomination for the post of Congress President.
Gehlot will be the candidate of the Gandhi family. Shashi Tharoor will also stake a claim for the post of President. If sources are to be believed, there are indications of a third candidate will also contest the poll. Although this will not affect Gehlot’s victory, the contest will be interesting. If this happens, it will be the first time in the history of Congress that more than two candidates will be in the fray for the post of President.
For the official announcement of Gehlot’s name will have to wait for the election results on 18 October. The opponents were blown away by one of his statements. Sachin Pilot, who was removed from the post of Rajasthan state president, was campaigning for one post in the media for several days while he himself hold two posts-Deputy Chief Minister and State President. Due to the leadership of those who tried to topple his government, he had to give up both the posts. There will be discussion. Anyway, the President of Congress has always had two to three posts.
