Won't contest Congress presidential polls, apologised to Sonia Gandhi: Ashok Gehlot amid Rajasthan political crisis

“I will not contest Cong presidential poll in view of recent developments in Rajasthan,” said CM Ashok Gehlot after meeting Sonia Gandhi.

Credits: IANS

New Delhi: Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday (September 29, 2022) said that he will not contest the Congress president's election. The development comes after Gehlot held a meeting with Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi at her residence in New Delhi today amid Rajasthan political crisis. A massive internal conflict erupted in Rajasthan Congress over the Congress president election and appointment of his successor in the state.

After meeting party president Sonia Gandhi, Gehlot told reporters that he apologised to her for the developments on Sunday when MLAs supporting him defied the central observers and thwarted their move to hold a meeting of party legislators.

"I met Rahul Gandhi in Kochi & requested him to fight in the polls (for Congress President). When he didn't accept, I said I'll contest but now with that incident (Rajasthan Political Crisis), I've decided not to contest the elections," said Genlot.

"I had a conversation with Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi. Whatever happened two days ago shocked us. It gave a message that all of it happened as I wanted to be CM. I apologised to her," said CM Ashok Gehlot after meeting Sonia Gandhi. 

#RajasthanCongressCrisis | I had a conversation with Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi. Whatever happened two days ago shocked us. It gave a message that all of it happened as I wanted to be CM. I apologised to her: CM Ashok Gehlot after meeting Sonia Gandhi pic.twitter.com/CeVwGkiFa2

— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2022

Gehlot, a three-time state chief minister, described himself as a disciplined soldier of the party and expressed his sadness over the turn of affairs in the state. “Have always been a disciplined soldier of the Congress," the Rajasthan CM said.

On being asked if he will remain Rajasthan Chief Minister, Gehlot said, "I won`t decide that, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will decide that."

I won't contest these elections in this atmosphere, with moral responsibility, said Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

On being asked if he will remain Rajasthan CM, Gehlot said, "I won't decide that, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will decide that." pic.twitter.com/arRFlDrazd — ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2022

"One-line resolution is our tradition. Unfortunately, a situation arose that resolution wasn`t passed. It was my moral responsibility (to pass the resolution), but despite being a CM I couldn`t get it passed," he added.

Talking to reporters, Gehlot said the party works under the Congress president and decisions will be taken in the time to come. Gehlot said Congress workers worry about the direction in which the country is heading and tackling the issue was more important.

(With agency inputs)