The hope of the Congress was that with the appointment of Ashok Gehlot as the party president, two political crises would be resolved. The party leadership reckoned that the leadership issue at the Center and the state could be resolved by ending the confusion over Sachin Pilot.
Now the resignation of Ashok Gehlot’s MLAs has surprised many in the Congress leadership, especially observers Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken. “The CLP meeting was called on the instructions of the Chief Minister. We thought we could find a quick solution to this and have a smooth transfer of power,” a Congress leader told News18.
The Congress leadership never expected the sudden resignation of MLAs from the Gehlot camp. Without even naming the pilot, many asked if he should honor someone who had created a riot a year earlier.
Many senior leaders have responded to the crisis. Margaret Alva, a senior leader and a leader close to Sonia Gandhi, tweeted that elders should be ready to give up power.
Also read: Crisis in Rajasthan Congress; If Sachin Pilot becomes Chief Minister, Gehlot says collective resignation
Sources in the party say that senior Congress observers are furious over this and have spoken to Sonia Gandhi about it. As president, many feel that Gehlot’s main task is to unite the party and put aside personal ambitions. Rahul Gandhi had said in a press conference in Kochi that the party president will have an important responsibility.
The question is also raised whether Gehlot is the right choice for the post of Congress president. “We cannot stop anyone from contesting. But many people think that Gehlot was chosen by the Gandhi family. That perception needs to be changed,” a senior leader told News18.
Plans to submit nomination papers are in progress. The names of Kamal Nath, Sachin Pilot, Bhupinder Hooda and Digvijaya Singh are also being floated for the post of Congress President. The party says that the Gandhi family will remain neutral in this matter. At the same time, there are those who want to highlight Gehlot as a presidential candidate.
This situation is likely to be exploited by loyalists of the Gandhi family. It should be remembered here that Sonia Gandhi entered active politics when it was perceived that Sitaram Kesari was weakening and splitting the party. Sonia Gandhi had said then that she could not stand by and watch a party built by Nehru and the Gandhi family collapse.
The question is also raised whether Rahul Gandhi will become the Congress president again. If that happens, other camps may not show much strength.
This election, which is still unclear in the Congress party, will also be a turning point in the party in the coming days.
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