Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has expressed his desire to give an election victory to Sonia Gandhi, the leader of the Indian National Congress party. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Gehlot stated that Gandhi had appointed him as Chief Minister in 1998 and he feels it is his duty to ensure her success in the upcoming state elections.
Gehlot’s statement comes just a year after his loyalists rebelled against the party’s central command over the issue of his successor. At that time, there was a possibility that Sachin Pilot, Gehlot’s rival, would take over as Chief Minister of Rajasthan. This prospect greatly upset Gehlot and his loyalists, leading to an open rebellion within the party.
During the rebellion, over 70 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) skipped the party’s Legislature Party meeting called by Gandhi to settle the succession issue. Instead, they held a parallel meeting, causing further division within the party.
The consequences of this rebellion are still being felt today. Several leaders, including Dharmendra Rathore and Mahesh Joshi, who were involved in the parallel meeting, have been denied party tickets for the upcoming elections.
Gehlot’s ambition to secure an election victory for Gandhi, however, may prove to be a challenge. Rajasthan has a history of voting out incumbents for over three decades, and the open factionalism within the party is expected to have a negative impact on its performance. The rift between Gehlot and Pilot, which nearly caused the collapse of the government two years ago, is well-known and could further damage the party’s chances.
Despite the history of division, Gehlot denied any ongoing rift within the party. He stated that all members are united and emphasized that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition party, is the one facing internal divisions.
Rajasthan is set to vote in a single phase on November 25, with the results being announced on December 3. The outcome of the elections will determine whether Gehlot can fulfill his desire to gift an election victory to Sonia Gandhi.
