Uncertainty persists, Ashok Gehlot tries to pretend that all is well in his kingdom

Almost a week after the Congress central leadership in Rajasthan left the question of change of guard open, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is presenting an image of consistency by packing his schedule with official meetings, monitoring the preparations for the Invest Rajasthan Summit-2022. are trying. Jaipur on October 7-8, and even hinted that he would present the state budget next year as well. Speculations are rife that the question of Rajasthan will be resolved after October 19, when the new Congress President will take over.

Mr. Gehlot’s business-as-usual approach comes even as some MLAs who earlier stood by him are now signaling a rethink in favor of rival contender for the top post, Sachin Pilot. The former Deputy CM is engaged in improving relations with opponents and strengthening his support base. On Monday night, he met cabinet minister Pratap Singh Kachariawas, who has been Mr Gehlot’s outspoken advocate in the current crisis. A day later, he hosted some MLAs at his residence, including minister Rajendra Gudha, who had moved to the pilot camp from the Gehlot faction.

The declining stature of the Chief Minister is also being discussed after his supporters boycotted the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting on September 25. “On September 25, Gehlot was not only the outgoing chief minister, he was also, in a way, the nominated president of the Congress. Which MLA would like to challenge his authority at such a level? Said a legislator who declared his neutrality from the two warring camps.

Many in the party’s central leadership are of the view that action should be taken against Mr Gehlot for undermining the “institution” of the Congress president. “The decision to choose the next chief minister of Rajasthan after Gehlot was the last Sonia Gandhi would have taken as the party president. Gehlot denied him this opportunity. Moreover, the events of September 25 have set a bad precedent by challenging the office of Congress President,” said a Lok Sabha MP.

However, the Gehlot camp is still confident that the Chief Minister’s words will prove to be true. “He has already been punished. he publicly apologized [for his supporters’ skipping the CLP meeting], which is a big deal. And secondly, he missed out on the historic opportunity to become the Congress President. A Rajasthan Congress leader said, “He has already paid a heavy price, so it is unlikely that he will be asked to vacate his chair now.”

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister himself has had a busy week. On Monday, he approved the appointment of Sangeet Beniwal as the chairman of the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. On Tuesday, he monitored the progress of anti-corruption cases, attended a Dussehra festival at Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur and issued instructions to secretaries of all departments to expedite the implementation of budgetary announcements for 2022-23. On Wednesday, he chaired a review meeting on redressal of public grievances and attended Dussehra festival in his hometown Jodhpur in the evening. He will go to lay the foundation stone of 220 kV power grid sub-station at Raipur in Bhilwara district on Thursday.

According to sources, in the last nine days, the state administration has shown rare urgency in approving projects and appointments.

“I think there will be no delay in presenting the budget, because everyone has to face election after election” [budgetary] exercise,” Mr Gehlot told reporters after meeting the secretaries on Tuesday. He said that the budget for 2023-24 would be dedicated to the youth and urged people to vote for the Congress so that implementation of welfare schemes would be easier.

MoUs and letters of intent worth Rs 10.44 lakh crore have also been signed ahead of the 7-8 October investment summit, an event that has given the chief minister an opportunity to portray that all is well after losing out on the opportunity. Will be the next Congress President.