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Tag: ashok gehlot

  • Not interested in Cong Prez post: Kamal Nath; steps in to defuse Rajasthan crisis 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath on Monday ruled himself out as a probable candidate for the party’s presidency even as he stepped in to troubleshoot the ongoing crisis in the party’s Rajasthan unit.

    Kamal Nath, known to have close ties with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at her 10 Janpath residence after she held a more than an hour-long meeting with party observers for the state Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken.

    The Congress high command had called Kamal Nath to Delhi.

    He is likely to play the role of a mediator and try to broker a truce in the state unit, which is reeling under a factional feud after a possible leadership change move turned into a full-blown crisis for the party.

    Asked if he was not interested in the post of Congress president, Kamal Nath told reporters, “I have no interest, I have come to Delhi for Navratri.”

    Earlier, Kharge and Maken briefed Gandhi regarding the developments in Rajasthan and will submit a written report about the crisis in the party’s state unit by tonight or tomorrow. They had met the party MLAs in the state to get a sense of the ground situation.

    According to Maken, MLAs loyal to Gehlot have put forth demands, including that a decision on the chief ministerial face should be taken after the party president election on October 19 and in consultation with Gehlot.

    Talking to reporters, AICC in-charge for Rajasthan Maken said the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting was organised with the consent of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and termed the act of the MLAs loyal to him holding a parallel meeting as “indiscipline”.

    NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath on Monday ruled himself out as a probable candidate for the party’s presidency even as he stepped in to troubleshoot the ongoing crisis in the party’s Rajasthan unit.

    Kamal Nath, known to have close ties with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at her 10 Janpath residence after she held a more than an hour-long meeting with party observers for the state Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken.

    The Congress high command had called Kamal Nath to Delhi.

    He is likely to play the role of a mediator and try to broker a truce in the state unit, which is reeling under a factional feud after a possible leadership change move turned into a full-blown crisis for the party.

    Asked if he was not interested in the post of Congress president, Kamal Nath told reporters, “I have no interest, I have come to Delhi for Navratri.”

    Earlier, Kharge and Maken briefed Gandhi regarding the developments in Rajasthan and will submit a written report about the crisis in the party’s state unit by tonight or tomorrow. They had met the party MLAs in the state to get a sense of the ground situation.

    According to Maken, MLAs loyal to Gehlot have put forth demands, including that a decision on the chief ministerial face should be taken after the party president election on October 19 and in consultation with Gehlot.

    Talking to reporters, AICC in-charge for Rajasthan Maken said the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting was organised with the consent of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and termed the act of the MLAs loyal to him holding a parallel meeting as “indiscipline”.

  • Rajasthan crisis: Pro-Gehlot MLAs indulged in rank indiscipline, say Maken and Kharge

    By Express News Service

    JAIPUR: AICC general secretary Ajay Maken and Mallikarjun Kharge who were sent to Jaipur to convene the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting and decide the new CM of Rajasthan did not pull any punches when it came to decrying the MLAs’ rebellion.

    The two observers returned to Delhi on Monday afternoon after pro-Gehlot MLAs refused to meet them and instead held a parallel meeting at the residence of Urban Development and Housing Minister Shanti Dhariwal on Sunday.

    The two AICC observers said the Gehlot camp’s defiance ‘could be termed as indiscipline’.

    “Yes, this is indiscipline, when one official meeting has been called and parallel to it another meeting is called, then it is termed as indiscipline. We will see what action will be taken against it,” said Maken, the Rajasthan in-charge of the Congress, to mediapersons.

    State in-charge Ajay Maken said that the CLP meeting was called after asking CM Gehlot and only after his consent. “We were continuously telling the MLAs of Gehlot faction that we will listen to them one to one and will put their demands before the party high command. But Gehlot camp MLAs did not reach the meeting,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Power Games: Ashok Gehlot risks losing Congress presidential nomination over Chief Minister’s post

    “We had told them their point would be heard seriously and placed before Sonia Gandhi, after which Sonia Gandhi would have taken a decision only after asking Ashok Gehlot,” he added.

    Ajay Maken said that three ministers Shanti Dhariwal, Mahesh Joshi and Pratap Singh Khachariyawas had come to them as representatives.

    They placed “three conditions in front of us. The first condition was that Sachin Pilot should not be made the Chief Minister, the second condition was that the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party should be called only after October 19 and the third condition was that the 102 MLAs had played an important role in saving the government and only one of them should be made the Chief Minister.”

    Maken said, “MLAs of the Gehlot camp had demanded to add their conditions in the proposal, which is not correct. It has never happened in the history of Congress that conditions should be added to the proposal. The proposal comes from a single line and after that the party high command gives the seal of approval on that proposal.” 

    ALSO READ | Pro-Gehlot camp’s ‘strict no’ for Pilot as CM rejected by Congress; Kamal Nath likely to step in to defuse Raj crisis

    Ajay Maken said that “Gehlot himself is contesting the election of the national president, so it would have been agreed later that such a proposal should be brought.”

    In-charge Ajay Maken said they will prepare a report mentioning that both the names of MLAs who have resigned and those who did not attend the meeting, and submit it to Sonia Gandhi.

    Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot met Kharge at the hotel. Before leaving for Delhi, Kharge said that “everyone will have to be on the same page with Congress President’s decision.There has to be unity and discipline in the state party unit.”

    JAIPUR: AICC general secretary Ajay Maken and Mallikarjun Kharge who were sent to Jaipur to convene the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting and decide the new CM of Rajasthan did not pull any punches when it came to decrying the MLAs’ rebellion.

    The two observers returned to Delhi on Monday afternoon after pro-Gehlot MLAs refused to meet them and instead held a parallel meeting at the residence of Urban Development and Housing Minister Shanti Dhariwal on Sunday.

    The two AICC observers said the Gehlot camp’s defiance ‘could be termed as indiscipline’.

    “Yes, this is indiscipline, when one official meeting has been called and parallel to it another meeting is called, then it is termed as indiscipline. We will see what action will be taken against it,” said Maken, the Rajasthan in-charge of the Congress, to mediapersons.

    State in-charge Ajay Maken said that the CLP meeting was called after asking CM Gehlot and only after his consent. “We were continuously telling the MLAs of Gehlot faction that we will listen to them one to one and will put their demands before the party high command. But Gehlot camp MLAs did not reach the meeting,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Power Games: Ashok Gehlot risks losing Congress presidential nomination over Chief Minister’s post

    “We had told them their point would be heard seriously and placed before Sonia Gandhi, after which Sonia Gandhi would have taken a decision only after asking Ashok Gehlot,” he added.

    Ajay Maken said that three ministers Shanti Dhariwal, Mahesh Joshi and Pratap Singh Khachariyawas had come to them as representatives.

    They placed “three conditions in front of us. The first condition was that Sachin Pilot should not be made the Chief Minister, the second condition was that the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party should be called only after October 19 and the third condition was that the 102 MLAs had played an important role in saving the government and only one of them should be made the Chief Minister.”

    Maken said, “MLAs of the Gehlot camp had demanded to add their conditions in the proposal, which is not correct. It has never happened in the history of Congress that conditions should be added to the proposal. The proposal comes from a single line and after that the party high command gives the seal of approval on that proposal.” 

    ALSO READ | Pro-Gehlot camp’s ‘strict no’ for Pilot as CM rejected by Congress; Kamal Nath likely to step in to defuse Raj crisis

    Ajay Maken said that “Gehlot himself is contesting the election of the national president, so it would have been agreed later that such a proposal should be brought.”

    In-charge Ajay Maken said they will prepare a report mentioning that both the names of MLAs who have resigned and those who did not attend the meeting, and submit it to Sonia Gandhi.

    Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot met Kharge at the hotel. Before leaving for Delhi, Kharge said that “everyone will have to be on the same page with Congress President’s decision.There has to be unity and discipline in the state party unit.”

  • Can Congress central leaders ‘one-to-one’ strategy defuse Gehlot loyalists rebellion?

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Efforts were underway by senior Congress leaders on Monday to resolve the impasse in Rajasthan after several MLAs loyal to Ashok Gehlot submitted resignation letters over a possible move to appoint Sachin Pilot as the next chief minister.

    Congress observers Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken, who had waited in vain for all legislators to arrive for the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting on Sunday, were trying to persuade Gehlot loyalists to meet them one by one in an effort to defuse the political crisis.

    The Gehlot loyalists had visited Speaker C P Joshi’s home after a long meeting at minister Shanti Dhariwal’s residence on Sunday, saying they were resigning as MLAs.

    At the chief minister’s home, Gehlot, Kharge and Maken waited for all legislators to arrive for the CLP meeting. Pilot and his supporters came but the meeting was a washout.

    Gehlot loyalists claimed that over 90 MLAs had visited Joshi’s home, but the number could not be verified independently. Congress has 108 MLAs in the House of 200. There was no word from the Speaker’s office on the resignation letters.

    ALSO READ | Twist in the Congress tale: Pro-Gehlot MLAs revolt against Pilot becoming Rajasthan CM

    Ministers Dhariwal, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas and Mahesh Joshi, along with CM Gehlot’s advisor Sanyam Lodha met the AICC observers, but the standoff continued.

    On their return, sources said, they told the other loyalists that they had put forth three conditions.

    They wanted the decision on the next CM to be left till after the Congress organisational election and stressed that Gehlot should have a say in picking the new CM who should be someone who stood by the veteran leader during the rebellion by Pilot supporters in 2020.

    “We have submitted our resignation and are now going home. The MLAs want that any decision on the CM’s should be taken only after the election of the party’s national president,” minister Govind Ram Meghwal had said.

    The loyalists said the views of MLAs should be taken into account. “Later, whatever decision taken by the high command will be accepted,” independent MLA Babulal Nagar had said.

    The aborted CLP meeting was seen as crucial step ahead of Gehlot filing his nomination for the Congress president’s post, amid speculation that the former deputy chief minister Pilot will take his place in the state.

    Gehlot, seen by many as a reluctant candidate for the top party position, initially appeared unwilling to give up his CM’s post.

    Later, it was speculated that he would rather see Joshi — or anyone else — as CM rather than Pilot, who had rebelled against his leadership.

    Gehlot had told reporters in Jaisalmer that the MLAs would pass a one-line resolution at the CLP meeting calling upon party president Sonia Gandhi to pick his successor. But the MLAs seemed to go off script.

    Before setting off for Joshi’s home, some Gehlot loyalists had said the next CM should be someone who was instrumental in saving the government during the 2020 crisis and not anyone involved in the bid to topple it, a veiled reference to Pilot. “We are going to the Speaker’s residence and will submit our resignation,” Khachariyawas had told reporters.

    ALSO READ | Crucial Congress MLAs meet in Jaipur amid suspense over who will be next CM of Rajasthan

    Another leader, Govind Ram Meghwal, said Gehlot can shoulder both roles, that of the chief minister as well as the party’s national president. He said if Gehlot does not remain CM, the party will face problems in winning the next Assembly elections.

    “If a decision is not taken keeping the MLAs’ sentiments in mind, the government will be in danger,” independent legislator and advisor to the chief minister Lodha had said.

    Gehlot and Pilot were at loggerheads over the chief minister’s post soon after the Congress won the Assembly elections in December 2018. The high command then chose Gehlot as the chief minister for the third time while Pilot was made his deputy.

    In July 2020, Pilot along with 18 party MLAs rebelled against Gehlot’s leadership.

    JAIPUR: Efforts were underway by senior Congress leaders on Monday to resolve the impasse in Rajasthan after several MLAs loyal to Ashok Gehlot submitted resignation letters over a possible move to appoint Sachin Pilot as the next chief minister.

    Congress observers Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken, who had waited in vain for all legislators to arrive for the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting on Sunday, were trying to persuade Gehlot loyalists to meet them one by one in an effort to defuse the political crisis.

    The Gehlot loyalists had visited Speaker C P Joshi’s home after a long meeting at minister Shanti Dhariwal’s residence on Sunday, saying they were resigning as MLAs.

    At the chief minister’s home, Gehlot, Kharge and Maken waited for all legislators to arrive for the CLP meeting. Pilot and his supporters came but the meeting was a washout.

    Gehlot loyalists claimed that over 90 MLAs had visited Joshi’s home, but the number could not be verified independently. Congress has 108 MLAs in the House of 200. There was no word from the Speaker’s office on the resignation letters.

    ALSO READ | Twist in the Congress tale: Pro-Gehlot MLAs revolt against Pilot becoming Rajasthan CM

    Ministers Dhariwal, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas and Mahesh Joshi, along with CM Gehlot’s advisor Sanyam Lodha met the AICC observers, but the standoff continued.

    On their return, sources said, they told the other loyalists that they had put forth three conditions.

    They wanted the decision on the next CM to be left till after the Congress organisational election and stressed that Gehlot should have a say in picking the new CM who should be someone who stood by the veteran leader during the rebellion by Pilot supporters in 2020.

    “We have submitted our resignation and are now going home. The MLAs want that any decision on the CM’s should be taken only after the election of the party’s national president,” minister Govind Ram Meghwal had said.

    The loyalists said the views of MLAs should be taken into account. “Later, whatever decision taken by the high command will be accepted,” independent MLA Babulal Nagar had said.

    The aborted CLP meeting was seen as crucial step ahead of Gehlot filing his nomination for the Congress president’s post, amid speculation that the former deputy chief minister Pilot will take his place in the state.

    Gehlot, seen by many as a reluctant candidate for the top party position, initially appeared unwilling to give up his CM’s post.

    Later, it was speculated that he would rather see Joshi — or anyone else — as CM rather than Pilot, who had rebelled against his leadership.

    Gehlot had told reporters in Jaisalmer that the MLAs would pass a one-line resolution at the CLP meeting calling upon party president Sonia Gandhi to pick his successor. But the MLAs seemed to go off script.

    Before setting off for Joshi’s home, some Gehlot loyalists had said the next CM should be someone who was instrumental in saving the government during the 2020 crisis and not anyone involved in the bid to topple it, a veiled reference to Pilot. “We are going to the Speaker’s residence and will submit our resignation,” Khachariyawas had told reporters.

    ALSO READ | Crucial Congress MLAs meet in Jaipur amid suspense over who will be next CM of Rajasthan

    Another leader, Govind Ram Meghwal, said Gehlot can shoulder both roles, that of the chief minister as well as the party’s national president. He said if Gehlot does not remain CM, the party will face problems in winning the next Assembly elections.

    “If a decision is not taken keeping the MLAs’ sentiments in mind, the government will be in danger,” independent legislator and advisor to the chief minister Lodha had said.

    Gehlot and Pilot were at loggerheads over the chief minister’s post soon after the Congress won the Assembly elections in December 2018. The high command then chose Gehlot as the chief minister for the third time while Pilot was made his deputy.

    In July 2020, Pilot along with 18 party MLAs rebelled against Gehlot’s leadership.

  • Power Games: Ashok Gehlot risks losing Congress presidential nomination over Chief Minister’s post

    Express News Service

    Leadership tussleAshok Gehlot risks losing Congress presidential nomination over Chief Minister’s post

    Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has dug in his heels over not allowing Sachin Pilot to replace him as state chief minister. Battle lines are drawn between him and the Gandhi family with MLAs loyal to him refusing to sign the resolution authorising party’s central leadership to pick his replacement in the event of his election as Congress president. Interim president Sonia Gandhi had sent AICC general secretary Ajay Maken and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to Jaipur to get party MLAs to sign the resolution. But MLAs loyal to Gehlot have refused to sign on the dotted lines. They insist that the new chief minister should be from among the 102 MLAs who had refused to bring the state government down when Sachin Pilot had walked out with a bunch of his loyal MLAs to form a government with the help of the BJP. Gehlot’s loyal MLAs, numbering about a 100, have threatened to resign rather than support Sachin. Gehlot has not reacted to this open rebellion by his supporters. Sources said the Gehlot camp’s action has not gone down well with the party high command. They said the party leadership is rethinking fielding Gehlot as a candidate for the post of party president. Gehlot had earlier said that his resignation as chief minister before getting elected as party president would indicate that the election result was pre-determined, and the party poll was not really a democratic exercise. He said let there be a fair election, and once he gets elected as president, he would resign as chief minister. Sonia and Rahul are keen on handing over the chief ministership to Sachin Pilot. 

    2024 Semi-finalsEC to announce Gujarat, HP poll dates on Oct 15

    The Election Commission of India is likely to sound the poll bugle for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh on October 15, unlike last time when it had announced the poll dates for the two states separately in spite of the fact that the term of the two assemblies expired within a gap of two weeks. EC officials are likely to visit Gujarat on September 26 to check the poll preparedness of the state. The EC team has already visited Himachal Pradesh. The last assembly elections in Gujarat were held in December 2017, and the schedule is likely to remain the same this time. The election in Gujarat is being keenly watched as the new entrant – Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party – is threatening to eat into the votes of both the BJP and the Congress. The BJP has a strong presence in the urban centres, and has been in power since 1998. The Congress, however, continues to have a large following in the rural areas in spite of not being in power for over two decades. In the last state elections, the BJP polled 49.1 % and won 99 seats, while the Congress got 41.4% and won 77 seats. The AAP remained a non-starter with 0.1% votes and without a seat. Kejriwal has, however, launched a high-voltage campaign in Gujarat this year striking fear in both the BJP and the Congress, not because they think he will win but because they do not know who he will harm more. 

    Accommodation issuesPM’s meeting with Digambar Kamat stirs Goa POT

    Seven-time Goa MLA and former chief minister of the state Digambar Kamat flew into the national capital and was locked in a two-and-half-hour meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence last week. Though not many know about this one-on-one meeting, those in the know say Kamat may be given an important assignment either in the state or at the Centre. They say he has had excellent relations with Modi from the time he was in the BJP. He recently led eight out of the eleven Congress MLAs into the BJP. There are reports of an imminent ministry reshuffle to accommodate the new entrants in the state government. Sources close to Kamat say the former chief minister and veteran MLA is too senior to be asked to join as a minister. They say that he has been assured that he will get his due for decimating the Congress in the state legislature. While Kamat getting the state chief ministership is not ruled out, the chances of him being brought to the centre as a minister in the next reshuffle are stronger, sources say.

    Leadership tussle
    Ashok Gehlot risks losing Congress presidential nomination over Chief Minister’s post

    Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has dug in his heels over not allowing Sachin Pilot to replace him as state chief minister. Battle lines are drawn between him and the Gandhi family with MLAs loyal to him refusing to sign the resolution authorising party’s central leadership to pick his replacement in the event of his election as Congress president. Interim president Sonia Gandhi had sent AICC general secretary Ajay Maken and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to Jaipur to get party MLAs to sign the resolution. But MLAs loyal to Gehlot have refused to sign on the dotted lines. They insist that the new chief minister should be from among the 102 MLAs who had refused to bring the state government down when Sachin Pilot had walked out with a bunch of his loyal MLAs to form a government with the help of the BJP. Gehlot’s loyal MLAs, numbering about a 100, have threatened to resign rather than support Sachin. Gehlot has not reacted to this open rebellion by his supporters. Sources said the Gehlot camp’s action has not gone down well with the party high command. They said the party leadership is rethinking fielding Gehlot as a candidate for the post of party president. Gehlot had earlier said that his resignation as chief minister before getting elected as party president would indicate that the election result was pre-determined, and the party poll was not really a democratic exercise. He said let there be a fair election, and once he gets elected as president, he would resign as chief minister. Sonia and Rahul are keen on handing over the chief ministership to Sachin Pilot. 

    2024 Semi-finals
    EC to announce Gujarat, HP poll dates on Oct 15

    The Election Commission of India is likely to sound the poll bugle for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh on October 15, unlike last time when it had announced the poll dates for the two states separately in spite of the fact that the term of the two assemblies expired within a gap of two weeks. EC officials are likely to visit Gujarat on September 26 to check the poll preparedness of the state. The EC team has already visited Himachal Pradesh. The last assembly elections in Gujarat were held in December 2017, and the schedule is likely to remain the same this time. The election in Gujarat is being keenly watched as the new entrant – Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party – is threatening to eat into the votes of both the BJP and the Congress. The BJP has a strong presence in the urban centres, and has been in power since 1998. The Congress, however, continues to have a large following in the rural areas in spite of not being in power for over two decades. In the last state elections, the BJP polled 49.1 % and won 99 seats, while the Congress got 41.4% and won 77 seats. The AAP remained a non-starter with 0.1% votes and without a seat. Kejriwal has, however, launched a high-voltage campaign in Gujarat this year striking fear in both the BJP and the Congress, not because they think he will win but because they do not know who he will harm more. 

    Accommodation issues
    PM’s meeting with Digambar Kamat stirs Goa POT

    Seven-time Goa MLA and former chief minister of the state Digambar Kamat flew into the national capital and was locked in a two-and-half-hour meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence last week. Though not many know about this one-on-one meeting, those in the know say Kamat may be given an important assignment either in the state or at the Centre. They say he has had excellent relations with Modi from the time he was in the BJP. He recently led eight out of the eleven Congress MLAs into the BJP. There are reports of an imminent ministry reshuffle to accommodate the new entrants in the state government. Sources close to Kamat say the former chief minister and veteran MLA is too senior to be asked to join as a minister. They say that he has been assured that he will get his due for decimating the Congress in the state legislature. While Kamat getting the state chief ministership is not ruled out, the chances of him being brought to the centre as a minister in the next reshuffle are stronger, sources say.

  • Twist in the Congress tale: Pro-Gehlot MLAs revolt against Pilot becoming Rajasthan CM

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR: In a late Sunday evening political development in Rajasthan, the kind only Congress men can pull off, nearly 100 pro-Ashok Gehlot legislators sprang a surprise by quitting en masse in a protest, widely seen as, against the proposal to elevate Sachin Pilot as the Chief Minister of the state.

    The revolting legislators met Assembly speaker C P Joshi at his residence and submitted their resignation.

    The twist to the Congress’ political drama came amid suspense over who will succeed Gehlot as the next Chief Minister of Rajasthan. A meeting of the Rajasthan Congress Legislature Party was called for around 9 pm at the CM’s house with party veterans Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken as observers on behalf of the Congress high command. But instead of heading for the meeting, the legislators went straight to the Speaker’s residence to convey that they are quitting. Amid the revolt, Congress’s high command sent a message to the observers to hear the views of all the legislators.

    The dissent from Gehlot supporters broke out amid speculation that Sachin Pilot would be Gehlot’s successor as the latter is poised to contest for the party president’s post.

    ALSO READ | Crucial Congress MLAs meet in Jaipur amid suspense over who will be next CM of Rajasthan

    As pro-Gehlot legislators scurried to quit, their mood was reflected in the statement of Independent MLA Sanyam Lodha, who commented that the new chief minister should be a representative of the nearly 100 MLAs who stayed in hotels for 38 days to save the Congress government two years ago. Alluding to Pilot, he said, those who tried to topple the Congress cannot be accepted as the chief minister. In July 2020, Pilot along with 18 party MLAs had rebelled against Gehlot.

    Earlier, Gehlot had tweeted – “It has been made up by the media from the very beginning that Ashok Gehlot does not want to leave the post of Chief Minister of Rajasthan, while this thing has never been in my mind.  I have already told the high command on August 9 that it is very important to win the next Rajasthan elections.”

    Another tweet by Gehlot read, “In this country the media becomes the king maker, unfortunately they do not know the ground reality.  The media of Delhi does not know anything and they run such campaigns that they become king makers.”

    JAIPUR: In a late Sunday evening political development in Rajasthan, the kind only Congress men can pull off, nearly 100 pro-Ashok Gehlot legislators sprang a surprise by quitting en masse in a protest, widely seen as, against the proposal to elevate Sachin Pilot as the Chief Minister of the state.

    The revolting legislators met Assembly speaker C P Joshi at his residence and submitted their resignation.

    The twist to the Congress’ political drama came amid suspense over who will succeed Gehlot as the next Chief Minister of Rajasthan. A meeting of the Rajasthan Congress Legislature Party was called for around 9 pm at the CM’s house with party veterans Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken as observers on behalf of the Congress high command. But instead of heading for the meeting, the legislators went straight to the Speaker’s residence to convey that they are quitting. Amid the revolt, Congress’s high command sent a message to the observers to hear the views of all the legislators.

    The dissent from Gehlot supporters broke out amid speculation that Sachin Pilot would be Gehlot’s successor as the latter is poised to contest for the party president’s post.

    ALSO READ | Crucial Congress MLAs meet in Jaipur amid suspense over who will be next CM of Rajasthan

    As pro-Gehlot legislators scurried to quit, their mood was reflected in the statement of Independent MLA Sanyam Lodha, who commented that the new chief minister should be a representative of the nearly 100 MLAs who stayed in hotels for 38 days to save the Congress government two years ago. Alluding to Pilot, he said, those who tried to topple the Congress cannot be accepted as the chief minister. In July 2020, Pilot along with 18 party MLAs had rebelled against Gehlot.

    Earlier, Gehlot had tweeted – “It has been made up by the media from the very beginning that Ashok Gehlot does not want to leave the post of Chief Minister of Rajasthan, while this thing has never been in my mind.  I have already told the high command on August 9 that it is very important to win the next Rajasthan elections.”

    Another tweet by Gehlot read, “In this country the media becomes the king maker, unfortunately they do not know the ground reality.  The media of Delhi does not know anything and they run such campaigns that they become king makers.”

  • Leadership change in Rajasthan: Congress to meet at Gehlot’s residence today

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Congress legislative party meeting will be held at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s residence in Jaipur on Sunday evening in which a resolution will be passed relating to the change of leadership in Rajasthan.

    The resolution will be passed that decision on change of face in Rajasthan will be taken by the Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi.

    Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot is also likely to resign from his post before filing his nomination for the Congress President poll.

    All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Rajasthan Ajay Maken, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge will be present in the meeting which is scheduled to be held at 7 pm on Sunday.

    Earlier on Saturday, Ajay Maken had a meeting with Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi.

    AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said the Congress president had appointed Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken as observers for the Rajasthan CLP meeting to be held on Sunday at 7 pm in Jaipur.

    “Congress President has appointed Mallikarjun Kharge as Observer along with Ajay Maken, Gen. Secretary AICC, Incharge of Rajasthan, to attend the meeting of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) of Rajasthan Legislative Assembly slated to be held on 25th September at 7 pm,” Venugopal said in a tweet.

    Filing of nominations for the post of Congress president began on Saturday with a contest between Ashok Gehlot and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor on the cards.

    The nominations will be filed till September 30 and results declaring the new Congress chief will be announced on October 19. This will be the first time in 25 years that Congress will see a non-Gandhi chief after Sonia Gandhi replaced Sitaraman Kesri as party chief in 1998.

    The last time the party had a non-Gandhi chief was in 1997 when Sitaram Kesri defeated Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot.

    Chairman of Central Election Authority Madhusudan Mistri will be available in Congress headquarters in the national capital to take the nomination papers as returning officer of the election.

    Gehlot had earlier made it clear that there will be no candidate from the Gandhi family this time.

    Speaking to ANI Gehlot said, “I have requested him (Congress MP Rahul Gandhi) multiple times to accept everyone’s proposal of becoming the Congress President. He clarified that no one from the Gandhi family should become the next chief.”

    Till now, Gehlot has made it clear publically that he will contest the elections, while another name that is most likely to give him a contest is Shashi Tharoor who is also in the fray and had met Madhusudan Mistri.

    Sources close to former union minister Manish Tewari had also said that he is also considering the possibility of contesting the polls.

    The crux of the story that emerges is that the Congress party is all set to witness a tripartite or more contest.

    Earlier, Madhusudan Mistri said that more than 9,000 delegates will be voting in the polls. Anybody can contest and 10 delegates will be needed to support his or her candidature. The last date for filing a nomination is September 30.

    NEW DELHI: Congress legislative party meeting will be held at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s residence in Jaipur on Sunday evening in which a resolution will be passed relating to the change of leadership in Rajasthan.

    The resolution will be passed that decision on change of face in Rajasthan will be taken by the Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi.

    Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot is also likely to resign from his post before filing his nomination for the Congress President poll.

    All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Rajasthan Ajay Maken, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge will be present in the meeting which is scheduled to be held at 7 pm on Sunday.

    Earlier on Saturday, Ajay Maken had a meeting with Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi.

    AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said the Congress president had appointed Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken as observers for the Rajasthan CLP meeting to be held on Sunday at 7 pm in Jaipur.

    “Congress President has appointed Mallikarjun Kharge as Observer along with Ajay Maken, Gen. Secretary AICC, Incharge of Rajasthan, to attend the meeting of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) of Rajasthan Legislative Assembly slated to be held on 25th September at 7 pm,” Venugopal said in a tweet.

    Filing of nominations for the post of Congress president began on Saturday with a contest between Ashok Gehlot and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor on the cards.

    The nominations will be filed till September 30 and results declaring the new Congress chief will be announced on October 19. This will be the first time in 25 years that Congress will see a non-Gandhi chief after Sonia Gandhi replaced Sitaraman Kesri as party chief in 1998.

    The last time the party had a non-Gandhi chief was in 1997 when Sitaram Kesri defeated Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot.

    Chairman of Central Election Authority Madhusudan Mistri will be available in Congress headquarters in the national capital to take the nomination papers as returning officer of the election.

    Gehlot had earlier made it clear that there will be no candidate from the Gandhi family this time.

    Speaking to ANI Gehlot said, “I have requested him (Congress MP Rahul Gandhi) multiple times to accept everyone’s proposal of becoming the Congress President. He clarified that no one from the Gandhi family should become the next chief.”

    Till now, Gehlot has made it clear publically that he will contest the elections, while another name that is most likely to give him a contest is Shashi Tharoor who is also in the fray and had met Madhusudan Mistri.

    Sources close to former union minister Manish Tewari had also said that he is also considering the possibility of contesting the polls.

    The crux of the story that emerges is that the Congress party is all set to witness a tripartite or more contest.

    Earlier, Madhusudan Mistri said that more than 9,000 delegates will be voting in the polls. Anybody can contest and 10 delegates will be needed to support his or her candidature. The last date for filing a nomination is September 30.

  • Shashi Tharoor collects nomination form, first to officially enter race for Congress chief

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday got the nomination form for the AICC presidential poll collected from the party headquarters here with sources saying he is likely to file his papers on September 30.

    Tharoor’s close aide Aalim Javeri collected the forms from the office of the party’s central election authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry on the first day of the start of the nomination process, all but confirming an electoral face-off for the top party post with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

    The nomination form is likely to be filed by Tharoor on the last day of the nomination process on September 30 as the idea is to collect nomination-endorsing signatures from across the country, sources told PTI.

    A total of 10 Pradesh Congress Committee delegates are needed to endorse a candidate.

    After over two decades, the Congress is set to see a contest for the post of party chief with Gehlot, who has announced his candidature, expected to take on Tharoor.

    Tharoor on Monday had met Sonia Gandhi and expressed his intention to contest the poll.

    The Congress president conveyed she would stay “neutral” in the elections, according to sources.

    Sonia Gandhi had welcomed the idea of more people contesting the poll and dispelled the notion that there would be an “official candidate”.

    According to a notification issued by the party on Thursday, the process for filing nominations for the election will be held from September 24 to 30.

    The date for a scrutiny of the nomination papers is October 1, while the last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 8.

    The final list of candidates will be published at 5 pm on October 8.

    The polling, if needed, will be held on October 17.

    The counting of votes will be taken up on October 19 and the results will be declared the same day.

    More than 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates will vote in the poll.

    The Congress last saw a contest for the party president’s post in November 2000.

    Jitendra Prasada had lost to Sonia Gandhi in 2000 and prior to that, Sitaram Kesri had defeated Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot in 1997.

    NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday got the nomination form for the AICC presidential poll collected from the party headquarters here with sources saying he is likely to file his papers on September 30.

    Tharoor’s close aide Aalim Javeri collected the forms from the office of the party’s central election authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry on the first day of the start of the nomination process, all but confirming an electoral face-off for the top party post with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

    The nomination form is likely to be filed by Tharoor on the last day of the nomination process on September 30 as the idea is to collect nomination-endorsing signatures from across the country, sources told PTI.

    A total of 10 Pradesh Congress Committee delegates are needed to endorse a candidate.

    After over two decades, the Congress is set to see a contest for the post of party chief with Gehlot, who has announced his candidature, expected to take on Tharoor.

    Tharoor on Monday had met Sonia Gandhi and expressed his intention to contest the poll.

    The Congress president conveyed she would stay “neutral” in the elections, according to sources.

    Sonia Gandhi had welcomed the idea of more people contesting the poll and dispelled the notion that there would be an “official candidate”.

    According to a notification issued by the party on Thursday, the process for filing nominations for the election will be held from September 24 to 30.

    The date for a scrutiny of the nomination papers is October 1, while the last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 8.

    The final list of candidates will be published at 5 pm on October 8.

    The polling, if needed, will be held on October 17.

    The counting of votes will be taken up on October 19 and the results will be declared the same day.

    More than 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates will vote in the poll.

    The Congress last saw a contest for the party president’s post in November 2000.

    Jitendra Prasada had lost to Sonia Gandhi in 2000 and prior to that, Sitaram Kesri had defeated Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot in 1997.

  • Action time in Rajasthan as Sachin begins attempts to Pilot his way to CM’s chair

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR: With the election for the next Congress party president fast approaching, everyone is now keen on knowing who will be the new Rajasthan Chief Minister.

    Current CM Ashok Gehlot had met Rahul Gandhi in Kerala on Thursday and announced his decision to file a nomination for the post of AICC president. Gehlot had also confirmed that he will resign as CM if he becomes the new party president.

    Against this backdrop, one of the main contenders Sachin Pilot reached Jaipur on Friday and started lobbying with MLAs.

    He also met the Speaker of the Assembly and senior Congress leader CP Joshi.

    Joshi, a former Union Minister, is seen as one of the major contenders should Gehlot win and move to Delhi. It is being said that Gehlot has recommended that Joshi be crowned his successor.

    Meanwhile, Gehlot himself returned to Jaipur from Kerala via Shirdi late Friday evening.

    ALSO READ | Gehlot likely to step down as Rajasthan CM, Tharoor may get CWC berth

    In the morning, Pilot reached the assembly and met the MLAs supporting him, including Ved Prakash Solanki, Indraj Gurjar and Rajesh Pareek. He also met Gehlot supporters Girraj Malinga and independent MLA Khushveer Jojawar. After these meetings, Pilot smiled and left with folded hands.

    He then reached Speaker Joshi’s chamber after meeting a dozen MLAs in the assembly lobby. At this meeting, Gehlot’s close aide Dharmendra Rathod, cabinet minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas and Gujarat Congress in-charge Raghu Sharma were also present.

    Sources said that Pilot has started talking to Congress MLAs of all factions. These include those MLAs who were once considered his staunch opponents.

    The meeting between Joshi and Pilot is especially being considered very important. Right now both these leaders are seen as frontrunners to replace Gehlot. Although the conversation between the two leaders has not been disclosed, it is believed that there has been a round of consultation between them regarding the future CM of Rajasthan.

    ALSO READ | Cong prez polls: Anyone including Sachin Pilot acceptable as CM, says Gehlot’s minister

    Gehlot’s statement, in which he had spoken of the need to consider the sentiments of MLAs in the choice of a new CM, is believed to be behind Pilot’s aggressive lobbying.

    At the moment, 80 percent of the MLAs are with Gehlot and about 20 percent are in favor of Pilot. Pilot is trying to woo the MLAs in the Gehlot camp away in his favor.

    The Pilot camp also wants Gehlot to leave the CM chair before he is crowned as the President of AICC because they fear that he may create difficulties otherwise.

    When asked in Kerala about who will succeed him if the CM’s post falls vacant in Rajasthan, Gehlot had said the “decision about the next CM will be taken through a proper process. Sonia Gandhi and general secretary in-charge Ajay Maken will decide together”.

    JAIPUR: With the election for the next Congress party president fast approaching, everyone is now keen on knowing who will be the new Rajasthan Chief Minister.

    Current CM Ashok Gehlot had met Rahul Gandhi in Kerala on Thursday and announced his decision to file a nomination for the post of AICC president. Gehlot had also confirmed that he will resign as CM if he becomes the new party president.

    Against this backdrop, one of the main contenders Sachin Pilot reached Jaipur on Friday and started lobbying with MLAs.

    He also met the Speaker of the Assembly and senior Congress leader CP Joshi.

    Joshi, a former Union Minister, is seen as one of the major contenders should Gehlot win and move to Delhi. It is being said that Gehlot has recommended that Joshi be crowned his successor.

    Meanwhile, Gehlot himself returned to Jaipur from Kerala via Shirdi late Friday evening.

    ALSO READ | Gehlot likely to step down as Rajasthan CM, Tharoor may get CWC berth

    In the morning, Pilot reached the assembly and met the MLAs supporting him, including Ved Prakash Solanki, Indraj Gurjar and Rajesh Pareek. He also met Gehlot supporters Girraj Malinga and independent MLA Khushveer Jojawar. After these meetings, Pilot smiled and left with folded hands.

    He then reached Speaker Joshi’s chamber after meeting a dozen MLAs in the assembly lobby. At this meeting, Gehlot’s close aide Dharmendra Rathod, cabinet minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas and Gujarat Congress in-charge Raghu Sharma were also present.

    Sources said that Pilot has started talking to Congress MLAs of all factions. These include those MLAs who were once considered his staunch opponents.

    The meeting between Joshi and Pilot is especially being considered very important. Right now both these leaders are seen as frontrunners to replace Gehlot. Although the conversation between the two leaders has not been disclosed, it is believed that there has been a round of consultation between them regarding the future CM of Rajasthan.

    ALSO READ | Cong prez polls: Anyone including Sachin Pilot acceptable as CM, says Gehlot’s minister

    Gehlot’s statement, in which he had spoken of the need to consider the sentiments of MLAs in the choice of a new CM, is believed to be behind Pilot’s aggressive lobbying.

    At the moment, 80 percent of the MLAs are with Gehlot and about 20 percent are in favor of Pilot. Pilot is trying to woo the MLAs in the Gehlot camp away in his favor.

    The Pilot camp also wants Gehlot to leave the CM chair before he is crowned as the President of AICC because they fear that he may create difficulties otherwise.

    When asked in Kerala about who will succeed him if the CM’s post falls vacant in Rajasthan, Gehlot had said the “decision about the next CM will be taken through a proper process. Sonia Gandhi and general secretary in-charge Ajay Maken will decide together”.

  • Cong prez polls: Anyone including Sachin Pilot acceptable as CM, says Gehlot’s minister 

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s indication of leaving the post of CM in the event of filing a nomination for Congress President has heated up the political scene in the state. The question of who will be the CM of Rajasthan if Gehlot becomes the national president is being hotly debated.

    In the midst of these questions, a minister in the Gehlot government, Rajendra Gudha, has raised the political temperature by saying that he will be with the Congress high Command and whichever name the Gandhi family decides will be acceptable, even if it is Sachin Pilot, Gehlot’s arch-rival.

    Minister Gudha is one of the six MLAs who switched from the BSP to Congress three years ago. CM Gehlot had included him in Congress and in the cabinet expansion held last year, he was also inducted into the state cabinet.

    Talking to the media in Jaipur on Thursday, Gudha said, “We are only with the Congress high command. Whoever Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi choose, he will be our Chief Minister.”

    Gudha also claimed that this stand is not only his but of all the other five MLAs who joined the Congress from BSP. He said their group is not averse to making Gehlot’s rival Sachin Pilot as the Chief Minister and remarked, “our yes is not only for Sachin Pilot, but also for Bharosi Lal Jatav.” ( a Dalit MLA of the Congress)

    Meanwhile, after Gehlot’s statement, his supporters have also come forward.  Independent MLA Sanyam Lodha, who is supporting the Congress and is an advisor to the Chief Minister, said that the next election can be won only on the face of Gehlot. Lodha said, “Ashok Gehlot started the schemes for the welfare of the poor and he has done wonderful work for four years as the Chief Minister. He has done unprecedented work of development and it is only by keeping his face in the forefront that Congress can get the benefit of all those works.”

    Cabinet Minister Ram Lal Jat also praised Gehlot and said “Wherever he is, we know his capabilities and he will raise the flag of Congress in entire India. If he gets a chance,  as a chief minister Gehlot has given great schemes for Rajasthan.”

    While talking to the media in Kochi on Thursday, Gehlot took a U-Turn on the statement of staying in two posts in Delhi on Wednesday and made it clear that the post of AICC President has to look after the work of the whole country and all the states, so he cannot hold two posts.  “Till date, no Congress president in history has been a chief minister at the same time.” He also added that the role of the President is to revive the Congress, then how can you keep two posts.”

    Now the tussle between Gehlot and his rival Sachin Pilot camp will intensify over the appointment of the new Chief Minister.  Besides Pilot, the other names that are being discussed the most are Assembly Speaker CP Joshi, state Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra and former Union Minister Bhanwar Jitendra Singh.  It will be interesting to see on whose head the Gandhi family keeps the crown.

    Gehlot met Rahul Gandhi in Kochi for the last time and tried to persuade him to become the president.  After Rahul Gandhi’s clear no, Gehlot plans to file his nomination.  The notification for the election of Congress President was issued today and in case of a contest, the result will be declared on October 19.

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s indication of leaving the post of CM in the event of filing a nomination for Congress President has heated up the political scene in the state. The question of who will be the CM of Rajasthan if Gehlot becomes the national president is being hotly debated.

    In the midst of these questions, a minister in the Gehlot government, Rajendra Gudha, has raised the political temperature by saying that he will be with the Congress high Command and whichever name the Gandhi family decides will be acceptable, even if it is Sachin Pilot, Gehlot’s arch-rival.

    Minister Gudha is one of the six MLAs who switched from the BSP to Congress three years ago. CM Gehlot had included him in Congress and in the cabinet expansion held last year, he was also inducted into the state cabinet.

    Talking to the media in Jaipur on Thursday, Gudha said, “We are only with the Congress high command. Whoever Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi choose, he will be our Chief Minister.”

    Gudha also claimed that this stand is not only his but of all the other five MLAs who joined the Congress from BSP. He said their group is not averse to making Gehlot’s rival Sachin Pilot as the Chief Minister and remarked, “our yes is not only for Sachin Pilot, but also for Bharosi Lal Jatav.” ( a Dalit MLA of the Congress)

    Meanwhile, after Gehlot’s statement, his supporters have also come forward.  Independent MLA Sanyam Lodha, who is supporting the Congress and is an advisor to the Chief Minister, said that the next election can be won only on the face of Gehlot. Lodha said, “Ashok Gehlot started the schemes for the welfare of the poor and he has done wonderful work for four years as the Chief Minister. He has done unprecedented work of development and it is only by keeping his face in the forefront that Congress can get the benefit of all those works.”

    Cabinet Minister Ram Lal Jat also praised Gehlot and said “Wherever he is, we know his capabilities and he will raise the flag of Congress in entire India. If he gets a chance,  as a chief minister Gehlot has given great schemes for Rajasthan.”

    While talking to the media in Kochi on Thursday, Gehlot took a U-Turn on the statement of staying in two posts in Delhi on Wednesday and made it clear that the post of AICC President has to look after the work of the whole country and all the states, so he cannot hold two posts.  “Till date, no Congress president in history has been a chief minister at the same time.” He also added that the role of the President is to revive the Congress, then how can you keep two posts.”

    Now the tussle between Gehlot and his rival Sachin Pilot camp will intensify over the appointment of the new Chief Minister.  Besides Pilot, the other names that are being discussed the most are Assembly Speaker CP Joshi, state Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra and former Union Minister Bhanwar Jitendra Singh.  It will be interesting to see on whose head the Gandhi family keeps the crown.

    Gehlot met Rahul Gandhi in Kochi for the last time and tried to persuade him to become the president.  After Rahul Gandhi’s clear no, Gehlot plans to file his nomination.  The notification for the election of Congress President was issued today and in case of a contest, the result will be declared on October 19.

  • Rahul Gandhi’s ‘one man, one post’ remark, hint for Gehlot

    By PTI

    KOCHI: With the Congress presidential polls round the corner, party leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said decisions, including that of one-man, one-post, taken at the chintan shivir at Udaipur in Rajasthan earlier this year are expected to be followed.

    Responding to queries during a press conference held between the first and second leg of the day’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi said the Congress president was not just an organisational position, it is an ideological post and a belief system.

    “What we decided at Udaipur, we expect that commitment to be maintained,” Gandhi said on being asked whether he would stand by the Udaipur chintan shivir decision on one-man, one-post.

    Gandhi, also the MP from Wayanad, said he would advise whosoever becomes the president of the party that they should remember that the post represents a set of ideas, a belief system and a vision of India.

    Another piece of advice he had for the contestants in the party’s presidential polls was that “you are taking a historic position. A position that defines and has defined a particular view of India.”

    On the nationwide raids on the offices and other premises of the Popular Front of India (PFI), Gandhi said that “all forms of communalism regardless where they come from should be combated.”

    “There should be zero tolerance towards communalism and it should be combated,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot arrived in Kerala amidst speculation as to who all would be contesting the party’s presidential polls.

    KOCHI: With the Congress presidential polls round the corner, party leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said decisions, including that of one-man, one-post, taken at the chintan shivir at Udaipur in Rajasthan earlier this year are expected to be followed.

    Responding to queries during a press conference held between the first and second leg of the day’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi said the Congress president was not just an organisational position, it is an ideological post and a belief system.

    “What we decided at Udaipur, we expect that commitment to be maintained,” Gandhi said on being asked whether he would stand by the Udaipur chintan shivir decision on one-man, one-post.

    Gandhi, also the MP from Wayanad, said he would advise whosoever becomes the president of the party that they should remember that the post represents a set of ideas, a belief system and a vision of India.

    Another piece of advice he had for the contestants in the party’s presidential polls was that “you are taking a historic position. A position that defines and has defined a particular view of India.”

    On the nationwide raids on the offices and other premises of the Popular Front of India (PFI), Gandhi said that “all forms of communalism regardless where they come from should be combated.”

    “There should be zero tolerance towards communalism and it should be combated,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot arrived in Kerala amidst speculation as to who all would be contesting the party’s presidential polls.