By Archana Sharma Jaipur 28th August : The Congress is facing a turbulent period with veterans like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jaiveer Shergill and others on a resignation rampage all eyes are now on the old warhorse and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot to determine whether he will be the one to lead the Congress from the front as AICC president.
If the sources in the Congress are to be believed, there were hints to Gehlot to run the party as Congress president in the recent conference with Sonia Gandhi.
But, Gehlot over the last week has been insisting Rahul Gandhi must be named the party’s president.
Following his meeting with Sonia Gandhi, Gehlot on his return to Rajasthan informed the media “Right now the party’s high command has assigned me two responsibility.
The first is working as the chief observer for Gujarat and the second as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan.I will perform both.I will do my best to put in all my efforts in ensuring that Congress remains in the power in Rajasthan.”
While in a press conference in Baran, Gehlot said that he is with Rajasthan and its people, and will not disappear.
In his remarks on the party’s electoral process, he said, “The election schedule will be announced on August 28.”
In expressing his love for the state where he was born and to the residents of the state Gehlot stated, “I am with you I was not too far from you.I will not remain in this state until the final breath of my life.No matter what the obligation that I accept the condition in which I was raised, the surroundings that I have experienced since my childhood, will never go far from me.”
Gehlot was in contact with journalists at Anta in Baran district on Thursday.
Now, this declaration of Gehlot is interpreted by the party’s workers to emphasize his desire to serve Rajasthan.he is eager to work for Rajasthan.
Gehlot sources claim that Gehlot has sent a clear signal to the group, led by Sachin Pilot that he will always remain close to the government and its citizens.
But, Congress workers in Rajasthan are confused by the claims of Gehlot.
“While the CM has stated that he will remain in touch with Rajasthan and won’t leave, he has not denied the possibility that he was requested by Sonia Gandhi to lead the show as Congress president.”
“Our party is in danger and there’s no room to speculate at this point.As party members, we must be informed of every development, otherwise, we could be an embarrassing figure in front of other people.
In the upcoming elections coming up next year, this confusion at the top of the party would be not acceptable,” said a senior worker.
In the past few days there has been speculation that Ashok Gehlot is being asked to be the party’s leader in the role of Congress president.
But, Gehlot has been continuously denial of such claims however, he has also said that he will follow whatever the high command orders.
In Delhi following a meeting with Sonia Gandhi, he said, “Even now we will constantly try to convince Rahul Gandhi to take on the office of president, and we will continue to try to convince Rahul Gandhi until the very end.”
After the Ghulam Nabi Azad incident all eyes are focused on Gehlot to find out whether he is the leader from the front , or if else will be chosen to rescue the Congress from its internal turmoil.
“We as party members want to form a new government.
Top leaders must collaborate in harmony and make the correct step or else it would be embarrassing for us to be in front of the public,” said a chairperson of an official state board under the condition of anonymity.
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