“Often I think I should leave the CM post, but the CM post is not leaving me”: Ashok Gehlot – Firstpost

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday once again shared an interesting anecdote in which a woman wanted his fourth term as CM.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Gehlot said, “She told me to continue as the chief minister of state. I told him that I respect your feelings, but often I think that I should leave the post of Chief Minister, but the post of Chief Minister does not leave me.

#WATCH | “A woman once told me that if God willing, you should become CM for the fourth time. So, I told her that I want to leave the CM’s post but this post is not leaving me,” says Ashok Gehlot , CM of Rajasthan in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/Nj4v3ZCxNq

-ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2023

Gehlot had repeated the same incident while speaking at a public meeting in August.

The Rajasthan CM also denied any rift with his party member Sachin Pilot as reports suggested that the delay in distribution of tickets for the upcoming elections was due to internal differences within the Congress party. Gehlot made it clear that there was no dispute within the Rajasthan Congress unit and affirmed his commitment to Sachin Pilot’s supporters.

Gehlot said, “The opposition’s pain over the selection process is the reason why there are no differences within the Congress party. I’m sure you’re talking about Sachin Pilot. All decisions are made according to everyone’s opinion. I participate in the decisions of Sachin Pilot’s supporters, in their favor. Only the BJP cares about smooth decision-making.

He also addressed the ongoing power struggle with Pilot, emphasizing unity within the party. Gehlot said: “We are all united. I did not oppose any candidate (on the Pilot side).”

The post of chief minister had been a major point of contention between Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot in 2018, which ultimately led to the 2020 rebellion. This internal conflict resulted in Pilot’s removal from his deputy ministerial posts in leader and president of the state Congress.

The delay in the distribution of tickets for the elections is said to be due to differences within the party over the refusal of tickets to certain ministers. Gehlot is keen to reward his supporters within the party and wants to offer tickets to the six BSP MLAs who joined the Congress in 2019. The party leadership, however, is worried about the electoral viability of these candidates.

The delay reflects the complexities and intricacies involved in selecting candidates for the upcoming elections in Rajasthan, as the Congress seeks to balance internal dynamics and maximize its chances of success in the elections.

Gehlot said, “After Sonia Gandhi ji became the (Congress) president, the first decision she took was to appoint me as chief minister. I was not a candidate for CM but she chose me as CM… I want to leave the position of CM but this position is not leaving me and it will not leave me either. Responding to this, BJP MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said, “…What does the Rajasthan government want to hide that it has not given permission to the CBI to conduct an investigation?

He also added that the Rajasthan government should take the initiative to conduct the investigation itself. A lot of fraudulent activities are taking place in Rajasthan, from illegal paper transactions to mining operations, and large sums of cash and gold have been found within the secretariat, Rathore added. The Congress government in Rajasthan had an opportunity to conduct its investigation, but when it failed to do so, the central government rightly stepped in to resolve the issue.

#WATCH | Jaipur, Rajasthan: BJP MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore says, “…When Rajasthan and the people of Rajasthan needed you and when you were given responsibilities, struggles took place within your party. .. For four and a half years there was a fight in Congress… Did you care about… https://t.co/4wD6ASo6al pic.twitter.com/QCutsQrasb

-ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2023

Earlier, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had revised the polling date for the Rajasthan parliamentary elections from November 23, 2023 to November 25. The timetable for vote counting is December 3, 2023 and all election-related procedures will be completed by December 5, 2023.