Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appeared in a different mood yesterday.
There was no stress relating to the election and ticket distribution exercise on his face, and he kept chatting with journalists for more than one and a half hours, sporting a smile on his face. He did not duck any questions.
Gehlot was seen speaking in a lighter vein, and his humour left journalists in a fit of laughter. He also met ticket seekers, collecting their bio-data, after which all aspirants came out satisfied. His light mood was an indication that the high command was backing him.
The earlier media reports that the high command was upset turned out to be false. In fact, suddenly information came out that Gehlot would brief the press in the afternoon on Thursday. This was a bit surprising amidst the reports after the Central Election Committee meeting that things are not well for the CM. Speculation had it that Gehlot was going to speak on those reports.
However, when he appeared during the press conference, there was a sound of laughter all around. He came down heavily on the central government for CBI and ED raids. He targeted everyone from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Minister Amit Shah to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. When questions were hurled at him regarding Rajasthan, the Chief Minister clarified every single point.
On the question about the CM post, Gehlot repeated what he has been saying so far. However, his statement acquired more significance as it came on the party’s official forum. In a lighter vein, Gehlot said, “I want to leave the CM post, but the post does not want to leave me. It seems it will not leave me in future too.” He added, “Can any other CM say these words?” he challenged.
Further, in a serious tone, Gehlot said “I must have something special that Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi trust me.” He also mentioned that it was Sonia Gandhi who had made him CM for the first time.
Gehlot signalled that tickets are not being denied to sitting MLAs and ministers in large numbers. On the issue related to Sachin Pilot, Gehlot said, “Forget about the past. We are together in ticket distribution. We have forgotten all differences.”
He said that when Ajay Maken had convened a meeting, all 130 MLAs were together. Gehlot clarified that nobody is opposing anyone’s candidature. He also added that the MLAs who are with the party cannot be corrupt. “They were offered a bribe of Rs 10 crore to 40 crore to topple the government, but nobody left us. So how can they be corrupt,” Gehlot said, adding that the high command will release the list.
Taking a swipe at the BJP, Gehlot said that Vasundhara Raje should not be punished because of him. He said that BJP senior leader Kailash Meghwal had stated that it is not the tradition in Rajasthan to dislodge any government, and he was not wrong. “When Meghwal was state BJP president, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had gone abroad, and then conspiracies were there to topple the government. However, I had opposed the move,” Gehlot said.
