Ashok Gehlot Hints at Continuing as Chief Minister Amid Delay in First Candidate List, Easing Sachin Pilot Rift

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has rejected reports linking the delay in ticket distribution to his alleged feud with Sachin Pilot. He emphasized that there were no internal conflicts within the Congress unit in Rajasthan and claimed he had not opposed any candidate from Sachin Pilot’s camp. Gehlot stated that decisions were being made in consultation with everyone, including Pilot’s supporters. He expressed unity within the party and addressed the ongoing power struggle, stating, “We are all united. I’ve not opposed any single candidate (of the Pilot side).”

Referring to the chief ministerial post, Gehlot mentioned that Sonia Gandhi had chosen him as Chief Minister after becoming the Congress president. He acknowledged that he was not the initial CM candidate but was selected for the position. Although he expressed a desire to step down from the CM post, he noted that it had become an integral part of his identity and would continue to be.

The chief ministerial post had been a significant point of contention between Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot in 2018, leading to the 2020 rebellion in which Pilot lost his positions as Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President.

The delay in finalizing the first list of candidates for the November 25 elections was reportedly linked to disputes over ticket allocation. Gehlot sought to reward his supporters, including ministers who had backed him during the rebellion, and also advocated granting tickets to six BSP MLAs who joined the Congress in 2019. In contrast, the party leadership aimed to withhold tickets from individuals with limited chances of winning the elections. Gehlot’s camp opposed denying tickets to MLAs and ministers due to corruption allegations, arguing that they would have accepted bribes to overthrow his government. There were also disagreements over granting tickets to MLAs who had rebelled against Gehlot’s government, with the Pilot camp asserting that a consistent approach should be applied to those who defied the party high command’s directive to attend the CLP meeting last year.