'Want to leave CM's post, but...': Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on speculations on fresh conflict with Sachin Pilot
New Delhi: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot reacted to speculation of a renewed conflict with Sachin Pilot ahead of the state elections. In a somewhat indirect comment, Gehlot said he wanted to step down from the chief minister's position, but it seemed like the position was persistently attached to him.
This remark, made during a press conference, was met with laughter and coincided with queries regarding the Congress' delay in naming its chief ministerial nominee for the state.
The remarks, seemingly made in a lighter vein, carry weight given the ongoing infighting within the Rajasthan Congress, with competing factions led by Gehlot and his former deputy, Pilot.
LIVE: Congress party briefing by Shri @ashokgehlot51 at AICC HQ. https://t.co/mp4E4DonSN
— Congress (@INCIndia) October 19, 2023
A rebellion led by Pilot nearly toppled the Congress government in 2020 before the party leadership managed to resolve the situation.
Reiterating his jest about Pilot, Gehlot suggested that there must be something special about him, as the party high command has chosen him thrice to lead the state.
However, he emphasised that any decision made by the high command would be accepted by all.
As the crucial November 25 election approaches, both factions have attempted to present a united front, but occasional jabs still surface.
When asked about the delay in the Congress announcing its list of candidates, Gehlot commented that only the opposition BJP seemed to be bothered by it.
According India Today report, shutting down talk of differences within the party on ticket distribution, Gehlot asserted, "I've not opposed any single candidate (from Pilot camp)."
The Congress Election Committee, led by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, convened to discuss potential candidates for the upcoming Rajasthan assembly polls.
The meeting was attended by key figures including former Congress presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, AICC representative for the state Sukhjinder Randhawa, state Congress chief Govind Dotasra, General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal, and the party's Rajasthan screening committee chief Gaurav Gogoi, in addition to Kharge and Gehlot.
Kharge expressed confidence that the Congress would maintain its position in Rajasthan, attributing this to the effective governance under the leadership of the Ashok Gehlot administration over the past five years.
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