JAIPUR: As the congress Presidential candidate Ashok Gehlot is expected to meet with party interim party chief Sonia Gandhi on Thursday, all eyes will be on Delhi to watch if the storm that broke out in the Congress in Rajasthan calms down or intensifies more.
The moot question is whether Gehlot will run for the position of Congress president, stay on as chief minister of Rajasthan, or elect a new leader for the region. According to reliable sources within the Congress, Sonia Gandhi has the power to make a significant decision on the Rajasthan dispute and the political standing of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
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Gehlot was suppose to leave for Delhi on Wednesday, but his plans kept getting pushed back. He met with a few ministers and MLAs in the meantime, then left for Delhi at night. Source said, Gehlot's visit was delayed because Sonia Gandhi was unable to keep Gehlot's appointment on Wednesday. Gehlot will see Sonia Gandhi on Thursday, four days after the crisis in Rajasthan started. Regarding the election of the Congress President as well as the Rajasthan conflict, this meeting is regarded as being of paramount importance. The president of the Congress Disciplinary Committee, A.K. Antony, is rumoured to attend the Sonia-Gehlot meeting as well.
Sonia Gandhi is reportedly unhappy over the entire development after the pro-Ashok Gehlot MLAs in Rajasthan displayed a rebellious attitude.
Three Gehlot supporters, including two state ministers and the president of the RTDC, have received notices for engaging in indiscipline by arranging an informal meeting at the home of state minister Shantilal Dhariwal rather than attending the official CLP meeting as instructed by the high command.
Gehlot to meet with Sonia to resolve Congress Prez election dilemma
After this disciplinary action, Gehlot will present his side on the whole issue. Therefore, all eyes are focused on Delhi to see who will submit a nomination for Congress president.
The deadline for submitting a nomination for president of Congress is September 30. According to Shashi Tharoor's announcement, he will submit his nominations on Friday at 11 a.m. Digvijaya Singh has also declared his intention to run for president. Therefore, Thursday will serve as a pivotal day to determine who ultimately prevails.
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