Rajasthan political crisis: Why Congress MLAs are threatening to quit?

NEW DELHI: Rajasthan has plunged into yet another political crisis as over 80 Congress MLAs close to chief minister Ashok Gehlot have threatened to submit their resignation to speaker CP Joshi.

The MLAs are reportedly angry amid suspense over the leadership succession in the state if Gehlot goes on to become the Congress president.

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Sources claimed there were around 80 MLAs, including Independents, in the group.

Earlier, Gehlot had asserted that he would continue as the chief minister of Rajasthan even if he assumes the responsibility of Congress leadership.

However, after Rahul Gandhi reiterated the party's "one-man, one-post" pledge, Gehlot changed tack and said he will resign to make way for a new leadership.

"MLAs are upset that how can CM Ashok Gehlot take a decision without consulting them," state Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas told reporters.

The threat by MLAs came ahead of a crucial Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting which is set to take a decision on the next chief minister.


There is a strong speculation that former deputy CM Sachin Pilot could replace Gehlot as the chief minister.

Some of the MLAs said Gehlot's successor should be someone who was instrumental in saving the government during the political crisis in 2020 and not someone who was involved in the bid to topple it, a veiled reference to Pilot.


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 the chief minister, the party will face a major trouble in winning the next Assembly elections.

Pilot, who has been at loggerheads with Gehlot, has been eyeing the top post since the grand old party won the elections in 2018.

Meanwhile, MLAs supporting Pilot met at his house to negotiate their next strategy.

Earlier today, party workers and people in Sachin Pilot's constituency Tonk were upbeat that their long wait to see him heading the state could soon be a reality.

Ahead of the meeting, Gehlot said a one-line resolution stating all Congress legislators have full faith in the party president's decision on his successor is likely to be passed during the legislature party meeting.

Gehlot said he had held different constitutional posts for 40 years and the new generation should get a chance now, in an indication that he was not averse to the party picking Sachin Pilot as his successor in the state.

(With inputs from agencies)