ASHOK GEHLOT ‘OUT’ OF CONG PRESIDENT POLL, QUESTION BEFORE HIGH COMMAND: HOW ‘IN’ SHOULD IT BE

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Thursday said the party’s interim president Sonia Gandhi will take a call on whether Ashok Gehlot will remain the chief minister of Rajasthan. He said the decision will be taken in a day or two. Another Congress legislature party meeting is likely to be called to pass a one-line resolution authorising the party chief to decide on Gehlot’s fate, party sources said.

Gehlot reportedly told Gandhi that he will step down as chief minister if required, and that she should decide on the matter. Earlier in the day, after a meeting with Gandhi at her residence, Gehlot announced that he will not be contesting the Congress presidential elections in wake of the political crisis in his state.

“Decision on CM of Rajasthan will be decided by Congress president Sonia Gandhi within 1 to 2 days,” Venugopal said, adding that Gandhi was neutral on the presidential polls. “Let’s wait for tomorrow, we’ll get a clear picture,” he said.

Venugopal met Gandhi at her 10, Janpath residence for a series of meetings to resolve the political crisis in Rajasthan. Friday, September 30, is the last day of filing nominations for the post of president for all those willing to contest.