By Online Desk
NEW DELHI: Congress treasurer Pawan Kumar Bansal and MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday collected nomination forms for the Congress president’s polls, even as Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his loyalists considered their next political move after being slammed by the party high command for revolting against Sachin Pilot succeeding Gehlot in case the latter became Congress president.
The question is will Gehlot now try to save his Chief Minister’s chair after clear signals were sent from stating that strict action would be initiated against Gehlot and his loyalists’ for “indiscipline?” Gehlot camp has clearly stated that in the parent circumstances–after the two observers deputed by the High Command to Rajasthan expressed displeasure against the Gehlot camp and left for Delhi–Gehlot himself is not keen to contest Party presidents election now neither his supporters want him to do so.
His camp feels that Gehlot’s image is being tarnished deliberately making it High Command v/s Sonia Gandhi question.
In the present situation Gehlot is likely to save his Chief Minister’s chair which is not going vacant in any case if he made out of the race of President’s polls.
Having said that our correspondent in Rajasthan reports that, now, it can be said that all eyes are on Congress High Command as to what action it would initiate against two Gehlot loyalists Dhariwal and Joshi, or even, Gehlot for “indiscipline.” The High Command has already expressed its displeasure over the outburst of the two legislators against the party observers deputed by the High Command.
The Gehlot camp’s anger is aggravated by Rahul Gandhi’s “one party, one post,” diktat before the process of party presidential election process is on, and, secondly for sending observers to Rajasthan.
Before taking any strict action against Gehlot camp Congress needs to understand unlike Amrinder in Punjab , Gehlot is much stronger on the ground and numbers are in favour of him. Gehlot has the support of over 80 MLAs. Also with him are 13 independent MLAs.
Two years ago when Sachin Pilot rebelled against the Gehlot government , he had support of just 18 MLAs and the government was in trouble.
Meanwhile, reports quoting sources say the decision on Rajasthan CM’s position will be likely taken after Congress Presidential Elections next month.
The IANS quoting sources in Congress reports that Gehlot was being ruled out from the Congress’ president post and it is likely that Kumari Selja could be considered for the top post while Rahul Gandhi’s choice is said to be K.C. Venugopal.
However, no final decision has been made yet and Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath, who met Sonia Gandhi on Monday, said that he did not want to become the party president and wanted to continue to work for the party in Madhya Pradesh.
“I want to remain in MP,” Kamal Nath, a former Chief Minister of the state, told IANS.
The political drama in Rajasthan has made the Congress leadership think about a plan B for the top party post, for which Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was being seen as a contender. Kamal Nath has ruled out to opt for the top post, and now the party has options like Mukul Wasnik, Mallikarjun Kharge or Kumari Selja, etc.. The time is running out as the election process has started and September 30 is the last day of nomination.
(With inputs from Rajesh Asnani & IANS)
NEW DELHI: Congress treasurer Pawan Kumar Bansal and MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday collected nomination forms for the Congress president’s polls, even as Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his loyalists considered their next political move after being slammed by the party high command for revolting against Sachin Pilot succeeding Gehlot in case the latter became Congress president.
The question is will Gehlot now try to save his Chief Minister’s chair after clear signals were sent from stating that strict action would be initiated against Gehlot and his loyalists’ for “indiscipline?”
Gehlot camp has clearly stated that in the parent circumstances–after the two observers deputed by the High Command to Rajasthan expressed displeasure against the Gehlot camp and left for Delhi–Gehlot himself is not keen to contest Party presidents election now neither his supporters want him to do so.
His camp feels that Gehlot’s image is being tarnished deliberately making it High Command v/s Sonia Gandhi question.
In the present situation Gehlot is likely to save his Chief Minister’s chair which is not going vacant in any case if he made out of the race of President’s polls.
Having said that our correspondent in Rajasthan reports that, now, it can be said that all eyes are on Congress High Command as to what action it would initiate against two Gehlot loyalists Dhariwal and Joshi, or even, Gehlot for “indiscipline.” The High Command has already expressed its displeasure over the outburst of the two legislators against the party observers deputed by the High Command.
The Gehlot camp’s anger is aggravated by Rahul Gandhi’s “one party, one post,” diktat before the process of party presidential election process is on, and, secondly for sending observers to Rajasthan.
Before taking any strict action against Gehlot camp Congress needs to understand unlike Amrinder in Punjab , Gehlot is much stronger on the ground and numbers are in favour of him. Gehlot has the support of over 80 MLAs. Also with him are 13 independent MLAs.
Two years ago when Sachin Pilot rebelled against the Gehlot government , he had support of just 18 MLAs and the government was in trouble.
Meanwhile, reports quoting sources say the decision on Rajasthan CM’s position will be likely taken after Congress Presidential Elections next month.
The IANS quoting sources in Congress reports that Gehlot was being ruled out from the Congress’ president post and it is likely that Kumari Selja could be considered for the top post while Rahul Gandhi’s choice is said to be K.C. Venugopal.
However, no final decision has been made yet and Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath, who met Sonia Gandhi on Monday, said that he did not want to become the party president and wanted to continue to work for the party in Madhya Pradesh.
“I want to remain in MP,” Kamal Nath, a former Chief Minister of the state, told IANS.
The political drama in Rajasthan has made the Congress leadership think about a plan B for the top party post, for which Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was being seen as a contender. Kamal Nath has ruled out to opt for the top post, and now the party has options like Mukul Wasnik, Mallikarjun Kharge or Kumari Selja, etc.. The time is running out as the election process has started and September 30 is the last day of nomination.
(With inputs from Rajesh Asnani & IANS)
