Surprise transformation of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s from a faithful Gandhi family loyalist to a near-rebel who has shown a lack of respect at the leadership has put a cloud on his bid for the Congress presidency.
On Sunday, the open defiance of the MLAs close to Ashok Gehlot had left the leadership fuming, however, there was no immediate decision to enforce the planned change of guard in Rajasthan, sources said.
Meanwhile, as per the high command, sources, it is heard that the party will plan its next move very carefully, factoring in the pushback and the support of the MLAs that the Gehlot camp has.
However, it is said that leadership has taken a very serious action regarding the parallel meeting held by MLAs close to Gehlot. Sources say that notices will be issued to some of the organisers of the parallel meeting.
It is also heard that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has met Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath in New Delhi, generating much interest and spawning different theories.
Responding to this issue, Marken said, ” I told them that it will be a complete conflict of interest since Gehlot as a CM is moving a resolution and he has openly declared that he will contest the election. And if he becomes the Congress president, the resolution which he is moving now… he is moving the resolution to empower himself after October 19 on who should replace him. I asked them how it is justified. They wanted this to be a part of the resolution and announced. Given this reason, I said no,”.
