Twist in the Congress tale: Pro-Gehlot MLAs revolt against Pilot becoming Rajasthan CM

JAIPUR: In a late Sunday evening political development in Rajasthan, the kind only Congress men can pull off, pro-Ashok Gehlot legislators sprang a surprise by quitting en masse in a protest, widely seen as, against the proposal to elevate Sachin Pilot as the Chief Minister of the state.

The 102 pro-Gehlot MLAs are headed for the residence of Assembly speaker C P Joshi's house to resign, according to the latest information.

The twist to the Congress' political drama came amid suspense over who will succeed Gehlot as the next Chief Minister of Rajasthan. A meeting of the Rajasthan Congress Legislature Party was called for around 9 pm at the CM's house with party veterans Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken as observers on behalf of the Congress high command. But the MLAs didn't reach for the CLP meeting. Cabinet Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas asked, "102 MLAs are with us, will they listen to us or the other 10-15 MLAs?"

The dissent from Gehlot supporters broke out amid speculation that Sachin Pilot would be Gehlot's successor as the latter is poised to contest for the party president's post.

As pro-Gehlot legislators scurried to quit, their mood was reflected in the statement of Independent MLA Sanyam Lodha, who affirmed that they should be one from 102 MLAs who stayed in hotels for 38 days to save the Congress government two years ago. Those who tried to topple the Congress will not accepted as CM, he noted.

Earlier, Gehlot had tweeted - "It has been made up by the media from the very beginning that Ashok Gehlot does not want to leave the post of Chief Minister of Rajasthan, while this thing has never been in my mind.  I have already told the high command on August 9 that it is very important to win the next Rajasthan elections."

Another tweet by Gehlot read, "In this country the media becomes the king maker, unfortunately they do not know the ground reality.  The media of Delhi does not know anything and they run such campaigns that they become king makers."

JAIPUR: In a late Sunday evening political development in Rajasthan, the kind only Congress men can pull off, pro-Ashok Gehlot legislators sprang a surprise by quitting en masse in a protest, widely seen as, against the proposal to elevate Sachin Pilot as the Chief Minister of the state. The 102 pro-Gehlot MLAs are headed for the residence of Assembly speaker C P Joshi's house to resign, according to the latest information. The twist to the Congress' political drama came amid suspense over who will succeed Gehlot as the next Chief Minister of Rajasthan. A meeting of the Rajasthan Congress Legislature Party was called for around 9 pm at the CM's house with party veterans Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken as observers on behalf of the Congress high command. But the MLAs didn't reach for the CLP meeting. Cabinet Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas asked, "102 MLAs are with us, will they listen to us or the other 10-15 MLAs?" The dissent from Gehlot supporters broke out amid speculation that Sachin Pilot would be Gehlot's successor as the latter is poised to contest for the party president's post. ALSO READ | Crucial Congress MLAs meet in Jaipur amid suspense over who will be next CM of Rajasthan As pro-Gehlot legislators scurried to quit, their mood was reflected in the statement of Independent MLA Sanyam Lodha, who affirmed that they should be one from 102 MLAs who stayed in hotels for 38 days to save the Congress government two years ago. Those who tried to topple the Congress will not accepted as CM, he noted. Earlier, Gehlot had tweeted - "It has been made up by the media from the very beginning that Ashok Gehlot does not want to leave the post of Chief Minister of Rajasthan, while this thing has never been in my mind.  I have already told the high command on August 9 that it is very important to win the next Rajasthan elections." Another tweet by Gehlot read, "In this country the media becomes the king maker, unfortunately they do not know the ground reality.  The media of Delhi does not know anything and they run such campaigns that they become king makers."