The Congress on Friday named Ashok Gehlot as Rajasthan Chief Minister and Sachin Pilot as his deputy after party president Rahul Gandhi successfully brokered a peace between the veteran leader and his younger colleague after several rounds of discussion lasting more than two days.
They will take oath of office of December 17.
Congress observer to Rajasthan KC Venugopal made the announcement and said details of the oath-taking ceremony would be decided after a meeting with Governor Kalyan Singh in Jaipur.
Addressing a Press conference, Gehlot thanked Rahul Gandhi for giving him the opportunity to serve the people of the State for a third time and promised that he and Pilot will give “good governanceâ€.
Rahul met Gehlot and Pilot thrice since Thursday. Hectic parleys were held between top party leaders, including Sonia Gandhi. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra too is understood to be involved in the decision-making process. Senior party leaders Venugopal, Avinash Pande and Jitendra Singh were present during the meeting on Friday.
“The united colours of Rajasthan,†Rahul tweeted on Friday afternoon along with a photograph in which the three leaders were seen in a jovial mood. Gehlot and Pilot were welcomed with pomp and splendour at the Jaipur airport after the announcement.
Pilot, 41, exuded confidence that Congress’ good electoral performance will continue, saying the party will get a big mandate in 2019 polls and form a Government at the Centre also. “Mera aur Ashok Gehlotji ka jaadu puri tarah chal gaya hai (Gehlot and I worked our magic in the State),†Pilot said.
The Congress went from 21 seats against the BJP’s 163 in 2013 to get 99 seats (plus one of the Rashtriya Lok Dal) in the Assembly elections. Pilot said the party’s manifesto will be implemented immediately.
However, the name of Chhattisgarh CM has been kept under wraps. The official announcement will be made on Saturday in Raipur. All the four contenders — TS Singh Deo, Bhupesh Baghel, Tamradhwaj Sahu and Charan Das Mahant — were called to Delhi.
They took turns to meet Rahul during the day after the name of Rajasthan CM was finalised. Rahul authorised AICC Central Observer for Chhattisgarh Mallikarjun Kharge to announce in Raipur the CM candidate after the CLP meeting on Saturday.
Gehlot will be the fourth leader to become Chief Minister of Rajasthan for a third time. Mohan Lal Sukhadia was the Chief Minister of the State for four times, while Hari Dev Joshi and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat were three-time Chief Ministers of the State. Both Sukhadia and Joshi were Congress leaders while Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was from the BJP.
