Gehlot to ‘Pilot’ Rajasthan again
Nath to take oath as chief minister of Madhya Pradesh on Monday
India’s Congress party yesterday named Ashok Gehlot as Rajasthan’s next chief minister, and Sachin Pilot his deputy, after party president Rahul Gandhi successfully brokered peace between the veteran leader and his younger colleague.
After Congress’ observer to the state K.C. Venugopal made the announcement at a media briefing here, Gehlot thanked Gandhi for giving him an opportunity to serve the people of the state for the third time and promised that he and Pilot would ensure “good governance”.
Pilot exuded confidence that Congress’ good electoral performance will continue, saying the party will get a big mandate in 2019 polls and form the government.
“We will meet the governor today and will decide on the details of the oath-taking ceremony,” Venugopal said.
Focus on jobs, agriculture
Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath will be sworn-in as chief minister on Monday 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 yesterday morning and conveyed to her the resolution of the CLP electing him as its leader.
Nath’s swearing-in ceremony is expected to be held at the Lal Parade Ground here at 1.30pm. He told reporters 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.
He was chosen as the Congress Legislature Party leader at a meeting late on Thursday night after two days of consultations, including parleys held by the party chief.
Chhattisgarh CM
The Congress is likely to announce the chief minister for Chhattisgarh today with the contenders to the post — state party chief Bhupesh Baghel and Ambikarpur MLA T.S. Singh Deo — meeting Rahul Gandhi in Delhi yesterday.