Gehlot, Pilot to steer Rajasthan
Sachin Pilot will be the deputy chief minister of the state; Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath will be sworn-in as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on Dec.17
NEW DELHI: Congress President Rahul Gandhi opted for a second veteran to be chief minister. Ashok Gehlot, 67, returns to the post he held two times earlier in Rajasthan, while his challenger and state unit chief Sachin Pilot, 42, will be the deputy chief minister.
The announcement came on Friday from the state’s party observer KC Venugopal, ending a tussle for power between the veteran and the young Turk, which often turned to nasty street ight Among supporters.
Rahul, who had reached out to millions of party cadres on a special app to gather their opinion, on Friday tweeted a photo with Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, with the caption: “The United Colours of Rajasthan.” A similar photo was put on Thursday evening after RAHUL inalised KAMAL NATH As CHIEF minister of Madhya Pradesh. The big Hindi heartland BJP states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have come into Congress fold, and raise the possibility of a similar sweep in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Congress sources said Rahul was keen on ensuring solid leadership in both states at the time of elections and at the same time wanted to stimulate the energy of youth cadres.
Gehlot had been a Gandhi family loyalist and capable organiser. Pilot, as young as Rahul, belonged to the party chief’s inner circle.
However, Rahul rose above such considerations and proved he is learning a point or two from experience.
“I am thankful to our party chief Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders for providing me with another opportunity to serve the people of Rajasthan,” Gehlot tweeted.
“I and my friend Sachin Pilot, and all the party leaders who will join our Cabinet, will work for good governance as per the wishes of our party chief Rahul Gandhi. I would like to thank the people of the state and the voters for supporting us.” Mounting an attack on outgoing BJP chief minister Vasundhara Raje, Gehlot said, “The people of RAJASTHAN HAVE SUFFERED For ive years.
Vasundhara ji never met anyone For ive years. THIS ANGERED THE people, precisely why she was not allowed another term.” A a Congress delegation will meet Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh in Jaipur at 7 pm on Friday.
Gehlot was About to take A LIGHT from Delhi for Jaipur on Thursday evening when he was called back from the airport for further talks, even as the choice zoomed in on him.
On Thursday, Rahul had tweeted a photo of the Madhya Pradesh leaders.
Its caption, quoting Leo Tolstoy, read: “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” Hours later, he announced that Kamal Nath will be chief minister and challenger Jyotiraditya Scindia the deputy.
Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath will be sworn-in on December 17 after Governor Anandiben Patel handed him a letter of appointment for the top post.
After being chosen as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party, the 72-year-old met the Governor on Friday morning and conveyed to her the resolution of the CLP electing him as its leader.
The ceremony will be held in the Lal Parade Ground here at 1.30 pm.
He told reporters that his main focus would be on the agriculture sector, which is the backbone of any economy, and joblessness among the youth.
“Joblessness in the state among the youth is one of my biggest challenges,” he said.