Congress leaders back Ashok Gehlot for party chief as he ‘supports’ Nehru-Gandhi family

Congress leaders have come out in Gehlot’s support, citing his ‘support for the Nehru-Gandhi family’.

With Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s announcement to contest the Congress presidential poll, several party leaders have come out in Gehlot’s support, citing his ‘support for the Nehru-Gandhi family’. The Congress has called a meeting of its legislature party in Rajasthan at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's Jaipur residence at 7 pm today amid speculations of a change in state guard.

Congress MP from Kerala, Kannoth Muraleedharan, has said, “Congress MP Tharoor can contest the party chief polls as President Sonia Gandhi has clarified that anyone can contest.”

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Hinting at Gehlot’s better chances at winning, Muraleedharan said, “But Gehlot openly said he supports Nehru-Gandhi family.”

“So if he files the nomination, our vote is for Ashok Gehlot. He is a senior man and a competent man to hold the post,” he said.Reiterating Gehlot’s commitment to follow decisions taken by current party chief, Sonia Gandhi, he said, “Rahul Gandhi will lead the party but he won’t take the official post.”

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With Congress leader Rahul Gandhi insisting on implementing the 'one man-one post' principle in the party, several ministers in the Rajasthan government, too, have advocated for Ashok Gehlot to be retained as both the chief minister and the party's national president.