It was after several months that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was in Delhi last week. He had travelled to the national capital to attend the meeting of the Congress Working Committee. And the veteran leader utilised the opportunity to place himself on a different footing compared to the other chief ministers belonging to the party and send a signal to his detractors in his home state.
Significantly, it was also Gehlot's first trip outside the state following his angioplasty, and he made it known that he is very much in control of the game. The visit was used to assert his seniority in the CWC on account of being one of its most experienced members and also a chief minister with more political clout compared to Bhupesh Baghel of Chhattisgarh and Charanjit Singh Channi of Punjab.
Soon after reaching Delhi on October 15, Gehlot had met the Gandhi family's confidante Ambika Soni. In the CWC meeting the next day, in an interesting turn of events, after the resolution regarding organisational elections was passed, he proposed that former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi should take over the reins of the party. There was unanimous agreement amongst the CWC members, including leaders belonging to the Group of 23, that Rahul should take charge and significantly, he responded by saying that he would consider.
Gehlot's effort was to project himself as a defender of the Gandhis, a senior leader that the first family of the party could count on. This has to be seen in the backdrop of his long-running rivalry with his former deputy Sachin Pilot, with the central leadership keen that he should make concessions to Pilot and his supporters. It also comes amidst a buzz following the changes the central leadership brought about in Punjab that the chief ministers in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh too could not take their places for granted.
After Gehlot's display of loyalty towards the Gandhis at the CWC meet, there is speculation in the rival camp about the impact it could have on state politics. Meanwhile, as Pilot and his supporters wait for Gehlot to carry out the much-awaited cabinet revamp and political appointments, the chief minister met Rahul at the latter's official residence in Delhi after the CWC meeting on October 16, before heading back to Jaipur. Leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and K. C. Venugopal and AICC General Secretary in charge of party affairs in Rajasthan Ajay Maken were also present at the meeting. It is believed that possible changes in the state cabinet and the state's Rajasthan unit were discussed. However, it remains unclear as to by when the changes are expected to be made.
