Ashok Gehlot hints at entering Congress presidential poll fray if party wishes

In a clear indication that he could throw his hat in the ring for the Congress presidential polls, R

“The party and high command have given me everything. I have been on posts for 40-50 years. For me no post is important, I will fulfill any responsibility given to me,” he said.

He also asserted that not only the Gandhi family, but scores of Congress members have faith in him. “I am very fortunate that I have got love and affection of Congressmen and women across the country and they have faith in me,” Gehlot said.

“Therefore, if they ask me to fill the form [nomination], I will not be able to refuse... Will speak with friends. I was given the responsibility of being Rajasthan Chief Minister, I am fulfilling that responsibility as a CM and will continue to do so,” said Gehlot.

On whether keeping both posts of the CM and party president could be a violation of the party’s pledges in Udaipur, Gehlot said that applies when the high command nominates people, while the presidential polls were an open election and anybody among the 9,000 PCC delegates, irrespective of whether that person is MP, MLA or minister, can contest.

Citing an example, he said if a minister in a State stands for Congress president election, that person can stay minister and also contest polls. “Time will tell where I remain. I would like to stay where the party benefits from me, I will not back down,” he asserted when asked if he would remain CM along with being party chief. Gehlot said he wants to serve the Congress, wherever he is useful, be it Rajasthan or Delhi.

“Party has given me everything, post is not so important for me. If it is up to me, I would not take any post, I would join Rahul Gandhi in the Bharat Jodo Yatra looking at the situation in the country, the Constitution is being destroyed, democracy is in danger. They [the BJP] are destroying the country,” he said.

The UPA rule was unparalleled, the BJP won elections using religion and is now destroying the country, he alleged. He said if the Congress people want him in the role of CM or as president of the party, he will not be able to turn down their request.