Rajasthan Congress crisis | The decision on whether Ashok Gehlot will remain as Rajasthan CM will be taken by Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi in a 'day or two', informed K C Venugopal on Thursday. Venugopal also said it will be clear by tomorrow, the last day of filing nominations for the top post, who all will contest.
Gehlot, who is in the midst of a political crisis in Rajasthan, had met Sonia Gandhi at her residence earlier today and apologised. Sources suggested that the CM had also expressed his wish to Gandhi to not contest the Congress presidential polls citing 'moral responsibility'.
On Sunday, MLAs supporting Gehlot defied the central observers and thwarted their move to hold a meeting of party legislators. Instead, they held a parallel meet to pitch for Gehlot's continuation or the guarantee that his bete noire Sachin Pilot does not replace him.
Gehlot's visit Thursday came a day after the Congress issued show-cause notices to three of his loyalists--Shanti Dhariwal and Mahesh Joshi, and Dharmendra Rathore--for their "grave indiscipline". The action came after 82 MLAs participated in a parallel meeting at Dhariwal's residence in Jaipur, laying down conditions to the party and did not attend the official legislature party meeting convened for passing a resolution authorising the Congress chief to appoint a successor to Gehlot.
What Gehlot said after meeting Sonia
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced that he will not contest the Congress presidential polls as he took moral responsibility for the political crisis in his state, and said the decision on whether he would remain CM would be taken by the party chief.
After meeting the party president, Gehlot told reporters that he apologised to Gandhi for the developments on Sunday when MLAs supporting him defied the central observers and thwarted the move to hold a meeting of party legislators.
Instead, they held a parallel meeting to pitch for Gehlot's continuation or the guarantee that his bete noire Sachin Pilot will not replace him.
Gehlot, a three-time state chief minister, described himself as a disciplined soldier of the party and expressed his sadness over the turn of events in the state.
Asked if he will continue as chief minister, Gehlot said Gandhi will decide on the issue.
