Drama in Congress over CM candidates for MP, Rajasthan

There was high-drama at the Congress headquarters as party brass strained to select Ashok Gehlot, in the face of a tough challenge mounted by the young warhorse Sachin Pilot, for the top job in Rajasthan.

In Madhya Pradesh too, hectic parleys took place between the high command and the two top contenders for the Chief Minister’s chair — Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Discussions were held at Tughlaq Lane residence of Rahul Gandhi. The Congress high command favours Gehlot for Rajasthan and Nath for Madhya Pradesh. But there is a challenge, especially from the desert State.

The Gandhis were engaged in parleys with different sets of stakeholders, including the AICC general secretaries and observers. As protests by supporters of both Pilot and Gehlot turned into street fights, both leaders had to appeal for peace.

Both are in Delhi to hold discussions with the high command. A meeting of MLAs in both the States had authorised Rahul Gandhi to take a decision on selecting the Chief Minister.

The contenders had two rounds of one-to-one meetings on Thursday. The Congress’ first family members Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi held separate discussions inviting criticism from BJP spokespersons and political analysts that the Congress is not ready to democratise its decision making process and it is “still a family party”.

Rahul Gandhi also met the party’s central observers AK Antony, KC Venugopal and Mallikarjun Kharge who interacted with the MLAs in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, respectively.

The Amethi MP is also learnt to have reached out to several key MLAs and Congress office-bearers in the three States. There was joint meeting between Pilot and Gehlot with Rahul Gandhi on Thursday morning. Gehlot, who was about to leave for Jaipur, had to return from the airport in the evening as he was reportedly asked to continue his stay in Delhi.

“Yes, you will see a Chief Minister soon,” Gandhi told reporters in Parliament. “We are checking, taking inputs from different people in the party. We are taking inputs from MLAs and workers. We are getting a comprehensive answer to what the Congress party and others feel,” he added.

As protests by Pilot’s supporters reached Delhi, the PCC President had to appeal to the party workers to maintain peace and discipline.

“I have full faith in the Congress leadership. Will welcome whatever decision party Chief Rahul and Sonia Gandhi will take. We all have a responsibility to maintain dignity of the party,” he said on Twitter. Gehlot, also the AICC General Secretary in-charge of the organisation, said the high command is in the midst of a democratic process to find a suitable person for the post.

“I appeal to workers to maintain peace. Today, the party needs its workers. The Congress President has already credited the workers for their hard work in ensuring the party’s victory in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh,” he said and added that the decision of the Congress President will be acceptable to all.

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