Cong in dilemma over CM candidate

Jubilation has given way to perplexity for the Congress over the selection of the CM — more so after most Congress candidates in the fray for the CM’s post failed to succeed in their respective constituencies.

Jubilation has given way to perplexity for the Congress over the selection of the chief minister — more so after most Congress candidates in the fray for the CM’s post failed to succeed in their respective constituencies. Only former chief minister Ashok Gehlot emerged as a winner. However, Gehlot’s selection could cost the Congress as many as eight constituencies in the Jat belt in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Gehlot is regarded persona non grata in the Jat belt of the state. The party had won only one seat in this area in the 2004 elections.

It was a rude shock for the party when Pradesh Congress Committee president, C P Joshi, lost in his traditional constituency, Nathdwara in Rajsamandh district, to BJP’s Kalyan Singh. Joshi, who along with Gehlot, led the Congress campaign, was till then a favourite for the CM’s post. Regarding his own defeat Joshi said, “Such things happen in an election. It is democracy. However, I am happy that the Congress has returned to power in the state.” He refused to comment on the party’s dilemma over the chief ministerial candidate saying, “It is up to the high command. We will soon decide on a candidate.”

The other possible chief ministerial candidates included former state minister and veteran leader Pradhyuman Singh, former PCC presidents B D Kalla and Narayan Singh and AICC secretary and veteran Jat leader Parasram Maderna’s son-in-law, Harendra Mirdha. Singh and Mirdha, both from the Jat community, were considered favourites too, as the decision would have pacified the community.

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Now, the playing field is wide open and includes Chairperson of National Commission for Women Girija Vyas, Union Minister for Mines Sis Ram Ola, Minister of State for Coal Santosh Bagrodia, Congress MLA from Baytoo Col Sonaram, Dausa MP Sachin Pilot. Even Rajasthan Governor S K Singh’s name has been doing the rounds as he is considered a neutral candidate, accepted by all communities in the state.

Senior Congress leaders admit that the selection of a chief minister has become complex after several leaders lost the elections. A senior party leader said, “We still have a few names and these include dark horses. But it is up to the AICC president and other senior leaders to decide.” He added that the Congress will keep in mind the Lok Sabha elections while choosing a CM. “Gehlot was the best CM we’ve had in Rajasthan for two decades, his image is clean and he is a good administrator. Unfortunately, some communities seem to have problems with him,” he added.

One of the options being explored, said sources, was to appoint a deputy CM from the Jat community if Gehlot were to be given the top job. Gehlot, a leader with an undisputed mass base in the state, had led the party’s campaign. The Congress had even centred its campaign around the achievements of the Gehlot regime and sought to draw a contrast with those during Vasundhara Raje regime.

With ENS

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