Ashok Gehlot: Leadership to pick next Rajasthan CM

Ashok Gehlot termed as “unnecessary debate” the commentary that he does not want to leave the Rajasthan CM’s post, and said his remark “I want to serve Rajasthan for a lifetime” has been misinterpreted, backpedalling from his earlier stand that he could take over the reins of Congress while holding on to his assignment in Jaipur.

He said the Congress leadership will take a decision on his successor but, crucially, added that it will also decide on the timing of the process. Gehlot, who had gone to Kochi “to make one last ditch effort to persuade Rahul Gandhi”, said his efforts had failed, and he (Gehlot) will file the nomination for the Congress president’s election.

“He (Rahul) said, ‘We respect the sentiments of workers, but have decided that this time a non-Gandhi-family member will become party president’,” the CM said.