Gehlot vs Sachin Pilot: Big Congress meeting on Rajasthan's top post ahead of party prez polls

Gehlot had earlier conveyed to the Congress top brass that he would want to remain the Chief Minister of Rajasthan at least for some time till he found his replacement, who would act as his proxy. In case, he couldn't find a suitable person to act as his proxy, he wanted to keep both roles by taking over as working president of the Congress with Sonia Gandhi as full-time chief, according to media reports.

For Gehlot, taking up the role of Congress President means giving up the chief ministership, which he is reluctant to part with. If he does, his arch rival and former deputy Sachin Pilot will find a way to become the Rajasthan Chief Minister. Both Gehlot and his supporter MLAs don't want this as his position in state politics enables him to wield his power and keep his flock together.

For the top meeting today, Congress headquarters in Delhi has appointed senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge as an observer, and Ajay Maken, the state in-charge, will also attend, reported NDTV.

Ashok Gehlot may be the top choice of the Gandhis as the Congress President, but he is unwilling to lose his grip over Rajasthan politics.

He reluctantly gave in after Rahul Gandhi asserted the party's rule of 'one man, one post'.

Amid the speculations about whether or not Gehlot will vacate the post of Rajasthan Chief Minister, his bitter rival Sachin Pilot said the high command would decide. Gehlot approached the party boss Sonia Gandhi, and even requested Rahul Gandhi to get back as the Congress President. However, Rahul Gandhi remained firm on not contesting the party's presidential elections.

Three years ago in Udaipur, also happens to be in Rajasthan, the party had endorsed the single-post policy.

The last time Congress held the presidential election was in 2017 when Rahul Gandhi was the candidate. Voting was not required as no one challenged him.

Gehlot will be contesting against another Congress veteran Shashi Tharoor, a former minister, and Thiruvananthapuram MLA, who has been vocal about meaningful organisational changes and free and fair internal elections.