Mass resignation threat by Rajasthan Gehlot-loyalist MLAs.

Late on Sunday evening, a few congress MLAs close to CM Gehlot gathered at the residence of state minister Shanti Dhariwal and held a crucial congress meeting which was probably taken place in an attempt to oppose Sachin Pilot’s candidature as the next CM of Rajasthan. Post which over 90 MLAs threatened to resign and arrived at the residence of Assembly speaker CP Joshi in Jaipur to hand over their resignation letter on Sunday evening.

The threat comes after Chief Minister Gehlot is likely to step down as CM of the state before filing his nomination for the Presidential post of the Congress party after Rahul Gandhi declared a “one-man, one post” vision.

State legislator Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said Gehlot did not discuss with the MLAs and made them angry, post which they decided to resign.

“All the MLAs are angry and are resigning. We are going to the speaker for that. MLAs are upset how CM Ashok Gehlot can take a decision without consulting them.”

He further said, “The CM should pay attention to the suggestions of the MLAs. We have 92 MlAs with us. 10-15 MLAs are being heard while other MLAs are being neglected. Party doesn’t listen to us, decisions are being taken without it."

The Gehlot-loyalist MLAs are also angry at the fact that Sachin Pilot is being chosen as a candidature to be the next chief minister instead of a Gehlot loyalist. Gehlot loyalists want the next CM to be someone who is a Gehlot’s loyalist who had supported the government during the open rebellion by Sachin Pilot back in 2022.

“Our demand is that Ashok Gehlot should remain the CM. If CM is made as per the wishes of MLAs then the govt will function smoothly, if that doesn’t happen then there’s a danger of govt getting collapsed,” said Independent MLA Sanyam Lodha while speaking to ANI.

Reportedly, Gehlot received a call from Rajya Sabha MP K.C. Venugopal who asked him to “handle the situation” but the Chief Minister told the Congress’ central leadership that it was “not in his hands”.

However, Venugopal denies the statement. “Neither did I talk to CM Ashok Gehlot today, nor did he call me, things will be sorted out soon,” said the Congress leader.

Earlier, Congress observers Mallikarjun Kharge, Ajay Maken, and Sachin Pilot, arrived at the residence of CM Ashok Gehlot ahead of the CLP meeting where a one-line resolution was supposed to be passed in relation to the change of leadership in Rajasthan.

However, due to the mass submission of resignation letters by MLAs, Congress party interim president Sonia Gandhi directed observers Kharge and Maken to conduct one-to-one talks with the Rajasthan Congress MLAs and sort out the issue.

“We aren't going to Delhi at the moment, we have been instructed by Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi to conduct one-to-one talks with Rajasthan Congress MLAs. We'll meet them tonight: Congress leader Ajay Maken to ANI.

Ashok Gehlot, on the other hand, said on Friday, September 23, he is ready to contest the election and will fix the date for the nomination soon.

Earlier today, Gehlot when asked about on being both the party’s president & CM simultaneously, said, “I've previously specified...had it been like that if things were under my control, I will be on various posts for 40yrs, but even without any post I will continue to work for peaceful atmosphere, youth.”

“As far as the post of Congress president is concerned, I've been in politics for 50 yrs & held various posts for 40 yrs what more can a person expect, now the new generation should get a chance so that we together can provide leadership in the country,” he further added.