'Many times I think I should leave CM post, but the CM post is not leaving me': Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot once again shared an interesting anecdote on Thursday where a woman wished for his fourth term as CM.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Gehlot said, “She told me to continue as Chief Minister of State. I told her, that I respect your feelings, but many times I think that I should leave the Chief Ministerial post, but the Chief Ministerial post is not leaving me.”

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

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2023

Gehlot had iterated the same incident while addressing 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 ticket distribution for the upcoming elections was due to internal differences within the Congress party. Gehlot made it clear that there were no disputes within the Rajasthan unit of the Congress and affirmed his commitment to Sachin Pilot’s supporters.

Gehlot stated, “The pain of the opposition regarding the selection process is that why are there no differences in the Congress party. I am sure you are talking about Sachin Pilot. All the decisions are being made by everyone’s opinion. I am participating in the decisions of Sachin Pilot’s supporters, in their favour. Only the BJP is concerned with smooth decision-making.”

He also addressed the ongoing power struggle with Pilot, emphasising unity within the party. Gehlot asserted, “We are all united. I’ve not opposed any single candidate (of Pilot side).”

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

The delay in ticket distribution for the elections is reportedly due to differences in the party over the denial of tickets to some ministers. Gehlot is keen on rewarding his supporters within the party and wishes to provide tickets to the six BSP MLAs who joined the Congress in 2019. However, the party leadership is concerned about the electoral viability of these candidates.

This delay reflects the complexities and intricacies involved in candidate selection for the upcoming elections in Rajasthan, as the Congress seeks to balance internal dynamics and maximize its chances of success at the polls.

Gehlot said,”After Sonia Gandhi ji became (Congress) president, the first decision she took was to make me the chief minister. I was not the CM candidate but she selected me as the CM…I want to leave the CM post but this post is not leaving me and it won’t leave me also.” In reply to which, BJP MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said, “…What does the Rajasthan government want to hide that it has not given permission to the CBI for an inquiry?”

He also added that the Rajasthan government should take the initiative to conduct the investigation themselves. Numerous fraudulent activities are taking place in Rajasthan, whether it’s related to illegal paper dealings or mining operation and substantial sums of money and gold were discovered within the secretariat, added Rathore. The Rajasthan Congress government had the opportunity to carry out their investigation, but since they did not, the central government rightfully stepped in to address the matter.

#WATCH | Jaipur, Rajasthan: BJP MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore says, “…When Rajasthan and people of Rajasthan needed you and when you were given responsibility, there was tussle going on in your party… For four and a half years, there was a tussle in Congress… You cared for… 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 Rajasthan assembly elections to November 25 from November 23, 2023.The schedule for the tallying of votes is set for December 3, 2023 and all election-related procedures will conclude by December 5, 2023.