Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot opted out of the Congress presidential race. He said on Thursday that he will not fight for the top Congress post. His remarks came after his meeting with the party's interim chief Sonia Gandhi at her residence in Delhi.
"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.
A huge ruckus occurred in Rajasthan politics after Gehlot was set to file his nomination papers for Congress chief polls.
Gehlot told media persons, "I met Rahul Gandhi in Kochi and requested him to fight in the polls (for Congress President). When he didn't accept, I said I'll contest but now, with this incident I've decided not to contest the elections."
"One-line resolution is our tradition. Unfortunately, a situation arose where a resolution wasn't passed. It was my moral responsibility, but despite being a CM I couldn't get the resolution passed," Gehlot told the media persons.
On being asked whether he will remain as Rajasthan CM, Gehlot said that it will be decided by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.
Party works under the Congress president and decisions will be taken in the time to come, he added.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh collected his nomination papers and announced that he is likely to file his nomination for the post tomorrow.
Meanwhile, according to media reports, Shashi Tharoor will submit his nomination for the post tomorrow.
The filing of nominations for the top Congress post will take place till September 30.
