Ahead of CLP meeting, Ashok Gehlot says new generation should get chance

A meeting of the Congress Legislature Party is scheduled to be held at his residence in Jaipur.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said he has held constitutional posts for 40 years and the new generation should get a chance now, virtually admitting an imminent change of guard in the state.

Mr. Gehlot, who has announced contesting for the post of Congress president, made the remarks during to a visit to Jaisalmer to offer prayer at the Tanot Mata Temple, in an indication that the Congress may choose Sachin Pilot as his successor in the state.

A meeting of the Congress Legislature Party is scheduled to be held at his residence in Jaipur.

"I have said it earlier as well. No post is important to me. I am doing politics for last 50 years. I have remained on some constitutional post or other for 40 years. What more I can get and want. So, it is in my mind that the new generation should get a chance and we all will together give a leadership in the country," Mr. Gehlot told reporters in Jaisalmer.

Mr. Gehlot said the media reported that he did not want to leave the post of chief minister even though not the case.

"I have said this to (the party) high command in August itself that the next election should be fought under a leadership so that the possibility of winning increases. Whether it is me or someone other than me, select him and form the government," he said.

He said that he had informed the Congress high command that winning the next election is very important as Rajasthan is the only big state ruled by the Congress now.