This is an archive article published on May 27, 2019
Cracks in Rajasthan Congress: Two Ministers take aim at Ashok Gehlot
In a repeat of 2014, the Congress failed to notch a single win in Rajasthan this time. The BJP won 24 seats and it's poll ally Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) claimed one.
A DAY AFTER Rahul Gandhi referred to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, while speaking at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) about senior leaders who put the interests of their sons above that of the party during the Lok Sabha elections, two ministers of the Rajasthan Cabinet spoke out in support of the Congress president and demanded “introspection” and “accountability” in their state.
Cooperative Minister Udaylal Anjana told The Indian Express that there is “talk in the town that the Chief Minister (Gehlot) would have been able to work more in other constituencies had he been free.” Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Ramesh Chand Meena warned that the defeat “should not be taken lightly”.
On Saturday, it is learnt, Rahul Gandhi referred to Gehlot, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and senior leader P Chidambaram while speaking about those who put the interests of their sons above that of the party. Gandhi is learnt to have told the CWC that Gehlot had spent about a week campaigning for his son in Jodhpur while neglecting the rest of the state.
The Chief Minister’s son Vaibhav Gehlot lost by over 2.7 lakh votes to BJP leader and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
“What the Congress president has said in absolutely right. There should be an introspection on what Rahulji has said. There should deliberation and analysis. The party should introspect on the reasons for such a massive defeat. It should not be taken lightly. What he said should not go in vain, so that the party does not suffer such a severe defeat in the future,” Meena said.
Stopping short of demanding a leadership change, he said the party should look into the reasons for such a rout despite being in the Government, and that “accountability should be fixed”. The Congress president, Meena said, has spoken about Gehlot, Kamal Nath and Chidambaram, and “they all should introspect”.
Anjana said that “when Rahulji is upset and has even offered to resign, then the other senior leaders should at least reflect”.
Asked whether he was demanding the resignation of Gehlot, Anjana said, “I am not that big to demand his resignation, but he should introspect…every one should.”
He said ticket distribution in Rajasthan was not up to the mark. “There are many reasons. His (Gehlot) son’s issue could also have been a factor. There were some problems with ticket distribution. Tickets were not properly distributed. Issues were not settled in time,” he said.
Referring to the BJP’s poll tie-up in the state, Anjana said Gehlot should have been “aggressive” in trying to cement a deal for the Congress with RLP chief Hanuman Beniwal, who defeated the party’s candidate Jyoti Mirdha in Nagaur.
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“Gehlot, (K C) Venugopal and (AICC general secretary Avinash) Pande were all there, they were taking the decisions. We used to meet them on matters regarding tickets. If the BJP could do it (tie-up with Beniwal), why couldn’t we? It would have made a difference in western Rajasthan,” he said.
Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape.
Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis.
The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage.
Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting.
Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics.
National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections.
Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum.
Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital.
Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief.
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CM Gehlot ‘needs to introspect’
