Jaipur: About 82 MLAs loyal to Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot resigned late Sunday. The legislators said they were upset because they were not consulted on the succession plan in the state. The buzz is that the central leadership of the party may back Sachin Pilot for the top position in the state as CM Gehlot is set to take the national role.
The former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has already made it clear that one person will hold only one post. Once Gehlot becomes the party chief, he will have to resign as CM. While Gehlot agreed to this, he and MLAs loyal to him don't want Sachin Pilot to become the chief minister.
On Sunday, about 82 MLAs from the Gehlot camp gave their resignations in a massive show of strength.
Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, who is from the Gehlot camp, said that all MLAs were angry and were resigning. We are going to the party president for that. MLAs are upset that CM Ashok Gehlot can't make a decision without consulting them, he said.
Khachariyawas also saying that Gehlot should pay attention to the suggestions of MLAs. He said we have 92 MLAs with us. Khachariyawas saying that the talks of changing the chief minister would occur after CGehlot becomes partyGehlot becomes party president earlier in the day. Anyone can become the CM out of 102 MLAs. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Ashok Gehlot will decide it, he said.
The MLAs loyal to Gehlot say they don't want Pilot to become the chief minister of Rajasthan. Gehlot has suggested two names to the central leadership for the top post.
The senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken are currently in Rajasthan.