Rajasthan CM pick: Battle of old vs new guard

After the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Rajasthan failed to name its chief minister candidate, there is a clear division in fan support.

On one hand there is a group supporting former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and on the other there is that of Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot.

Outside the Congress headquarter here, supporters were chanting one slogan but with different names.

“Hamara CM kaisa ho, Sachin Pilot Jaisa Ho” (How should be our CM?, like Sachin Pilot) and “Hamara mukhyamantri Kaisa, ho Gehlot Ji jaisa ho” (How should be our CM?, like Ashok Gehlot).

Interestingly, while Pilot supporters were youth, Gehlot supporters were seasoned workers.

A senior Congress leader told DH, “We have never seen such division just for the sake of name. This is the time when name should hardly matter”.

After the resolution was passed Avinash Pandey told mediapesons, “We’ve sought appointment with the Congress president on Thursday.

We’ll give him a report of today’s events and the next step will be taken thereafter.” According to the sources six out of nine Congress rebels who were denied tickets and have won will be rejoining the party. A delegation of Congress leaders on Wednesday night met Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh at Raj Bhawan to stake claim to form government. The delegation included Congress leader and former CM Ashok Gehlot, PCC chief Sachin Pilot, Congress general secretaries KC Venugopal and Avinash Pandey and Ajmer MLA Raghu Sharma. Addressing the media after meeting Governor, both Pilot and Gehlot said, “Further decision will be taken by Rahul Gandhi ji on Thursday in New Delhi”.

Congress General secretary Avinash Pandey and KC Venugopal left for Delhi on Wednesday night.

However, both Pilot and Gehlot will leave for New Delhi on Thursday morning.

Earlier in the day, BSP chief Mayawati said her party will support the Congress in Rajasthan if required.

DH News Service