New Delhi: Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot is reaching Delhi but has not been given an appointment by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, party insiders informed on Wednesday. “No appointment has been given to Gehlot by the party president,” a senior AICC functionary said on condition of anonymity.
According to the Gehlot camp, the chief minister is reaching Delhi to find a solution to the question mark that has been placed over his candidature as the next Congress president. Sonia Gandhi had chosen Gehlot for the top party post but a revolt by his supporting MLAs, which would not have taken place without his knowledge on Sunday, is now being seen as a blot on the otherwise clean slate of the veteran.
“Sonia Gandhi is holding consultations with senior leaders from across the country on how to end the deadlock. She will take a decision soon,” said the senior AICC functionary, hinting that the Congress chief was trying to identify Gehlot’s replacement for the top job.
According to sources, Sonia’s close aides AK Antony and Ambika Sonia have been pressed into service and are facilitating the consultations so that a solution is finalized before September 30 the last date of nominations for the next Congress president. Before Sonia Gandhi firms up her view, the entire Congress has adopted a wait and watch approach and is refraining from making any guesses in the crucial matter.
“Whoever has Sonia Gandhi’s blessing will become the next Congress president. Let us wait for a day or two. The person chosen by her can file nominations on the last date,” AICC general secretary JP Agarwal ETV Bharat. The clouds hanging over Gehlot’s candidature for the top party post are related to his desire to remain the chief minister of Rajasthan and if he were to give up the constitutional post, ensure that a person of his choice was installed.
“The issue of revolt by the MLAs belonging to the Gehlot camp has been addressed. Three of his close aides have been served a show cause notice for grave indiscipline. They have to reply in 10 days,” said a senior AICC functionary.
“But the window for presidential polls is short,” he said, explaining the reason behind the hectic parleys with veterans started by Sonia Gandhi. According to sources the short period left for the nominations have also created anxiety in the Gehlot camp, forcing the chief minister to rush to Delhi in a desperate attempt to explain his position to the party president.
Already, Chhattisgarh minister TS Singh Deo has questioned Gehlot’s candidature saying if the CM was not able to control his MLAs, how would he manage the party nationally. Old timers noted that Gehlot was chosen by Sonia Gandhi for the top party post as he was considered to be a confidante of the Gandhi family but the situation had changed dramatically over the past few days.
“When relations are so close, expectations run high on both sides. Even a small misunderstanding can create a wedge,” said a senior leader. In an important development, Gehlot spoke to Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra over the phone before leaving for Delhi.
