Greater Noida (12/12/2018) : Congress has emerged victorious in the 3 of the 5 states that went to polls in recent times. It has won a comfortable majority in Chhattisgarh and is the single largest party in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. While there are 4 contenders for CM race in Chhattisgarh, the major fight is being seen in states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, where there are 2 high profile contenders vying for the post.
In desert state of Rajasthan the fight is between Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot. The meeting with legislators has been going on since morning; with a power-play by supporters going out outside the state headquarter.
Sachin Pilot a strong contender for the post, has helped steer the Congress from the depths of defeat in 2013 to the highs of victory in Rajasthan.
In 2013, when the Congress won just 21 seats against the BJP’s 163, party president Rahul Gandhi handed the reins of the state to the Pilot. This youthful Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president worked hard moving through ally’s of the state, trying to connect dots and reenergizing the party cadre. However for the post of chief minister, he faces strong competition with Gehlot. Sometimes referred as Rajasthan’s Gandhi for his simple lifestyle and mass connect, Gehlot has served as the chief minister of the state twice earlier. Now, after a gap of five years, the veteran could be back in the saddle as the CM of Rajasthan.
As of latest update, the Congress Legislature Party in Rajasthan has passed a resolution authorising Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to take the final decision on the CM candidate. The situation is not much different in heart of India, Madhya Pradesh.
In Madhya Pradesh, while Kamal Nath spearheaded the poll campaign, Jyotiraditya Scindia has already said he is ready to take the CM’s responsibility. Both the leaders however have been showcasing a cordial front for public and went together to receive the state convener AK Antony at Bhopal airport today.
All eyes now are on UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party president Rahul Gandhi’s choice of chief ministers of the three states, which he will decide after the victorious MLAs finish their meetings in the three states. The air on the CM candidate will be only clear by the end of today. Party may decided to strike a balance and give one state to a Young Turk and the other to the experienced veteran. If so, Gehlot and Scindia may get to govern the states of Rajasthan and Madhya pradesh respectively.
