Confusion reigned over the Rajasthan chief minister’s position on Thursday after Ashok Gehlot said Congress chief Sonia Gandhi would accept a call on whether to continue in the state’s top job, even as the party struggled to present a united front after an unprecedented uprising that exposed deep divisions. Gehlot has the support of an overwhelming majority of the party’s legislators in Rajasthan, apart from independents and smaller parties.
Congress legislators close to him numbered 92 (the majority in the state assembly is 101) when they defied the wishes of the central leadership on Sunday evening. His government also has the support of several independents and lawmakers from smaller parties for a comfortable majority.
Gehlot’s rival, former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, met Gandhi late on Thursday in Delhi and later said the party must work together to win the state polls in 2023. Pilot had previously unsuccessfully contested the chief minister’s seat.
“Today I met the president of the Congress. She listened to me calmly. We had a detailed discussion about what happened in Jaipur, Rajasthan. I told her my feelings, feedback. We all want to win the 2023 polls (in Rajasthan) if we work hard. We will have to work together,” said Pilot.
“Whatever decision has to be taken in the context of Rajasthan, she (Sonia) will take it. I am confident that in the next 12 to 13 months, we will form a Congress government again with our hard work,” he added. An MLA close to Pilot claimed that Rahul Gandhi had earlier praised his patience and is expected to be rewarded.
Earlier in the day, Gehlot also met Gandhi at his residence and later said she would decide on his chief ministership, even as he sought an apology from lawmakers close to him over the weekend. Congress general secretary in-charge KC Venugopal, who was also present during Gandhi’s meeting with Gehlot, later said she would decide on the Rajasthan leadership issue in “a day or two”.
However, ousting Gehlot from the CM seat will be extremely difficult as Gehlot enjoys the support of a large majority in the party’s legislative wing and lawmakers and experts have said the party could split in Rajasthan if the high command tries to oust Gehlot. Legislators close to Gehlot are against Pilot’s elevation to the state’s top job due to the younger leader’s rebellion against the CM in 2020.
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