Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Alleges Conspiracy Over Congress President Post

Jaipur: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has once again made a significant statement regarding the political events of September 25, 2022. He said, "I am not uneducated. I understand the importance of the Congress President's post. If Sonia Gandhi and the Congress party were choosing me for that role, would I have refused?" He also claimed that a major conspiracy was hatched against him at the time, creating a nationwide perception that he did not want to relinquish the Chief Minister's post. Gehlot stated that the reality was quite different.

What did Ashok Gehlot say about the Congress President's post?

Gehlot remarked that the position of Congress President is one of the most prestigious political responsibilities in the country. He recalled that leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Patel had held this office. He said, "I am not uneducated. I know the significance of the Congress President's post. If Sonia Gandhi and the Congress were selecting me for that role, would I have said no?"

The former Chief Minister noted that even today, many people in the country believe he orchestrated the events of September 25, 2022, to remain Chief Minister. He stated that he considers this perception wrong and is now speaking openly about it. Gehlot claimed there was a major conspiracy behind the sudden political crisis that emerged at the time. He said the idea was planted in people's minds that the MLAs' protest occurred because Ashok Gehlot did not want to give up the Chief Minister's post. According to him, this narrative does not accurately reflect the actual events.

'If there had been a rebellion against the High Command, how could I have remained CM?'

He reiterated that the events of September 25 did not constitute a rebellion against the Congress High Command. Gehlot argued that had there truly been a revolt against the High Command, the Congress leadership would not have allowed him to continue as Chief Minister afterward. Gehlot also referred to Sachin Pilot and the events that took place in Manesar. He stated that at the time, the resentment among several MLAs stemmed from the role played by Pilot and his supporters. According to him, the MLAs' opposition was directed at a specific individual rather than the Congress leadership.

The former Chief Minister noted that he had subsequently conveyed a message of "forget and forgive" and had always prioritized party unity. He urged Congress leaders to put past disputes behind them and strengthen the organization. Gehlot's latest statement is being viewed as his clearest explanation regarding the long-standing power struggle within the Rajasthan Congress and the political events of 2022. He indicated that he disagrees with how that period has been recorded in history and now wishes to present his own version of events.