Ashok Gehlot emerges as strong candidate to lead Congress
Jaipur, August 24 (KMS): Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has emerged as a strong candidate for the post of President of Indian National Congress.
News agency Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) quoting sources reported that Sonia Gandhi has requested Gehlot to take over before she heads abroad for medical checkup and treatment. Sonia had reportedly said this to Gehlot in a meeting.
The report by IANS said, the Central Election Authority of the Congress is awaiting a nod from the party’s working committee to announce the schedule for electing the next Congress President as the party is still in search of a consensus candidate for the top post after the refusal by Rahul Gandhi.
While sources said that the top choice is Gehlot, the Rajasthan Chief Minister had said on Monday that Rahul should rethink his decision as it will demoralise the party workers. Gehlot is averse to the idea of becoming party president and has stated that Rahul was the top and unanimous choice for party president.
The other name doing the rounds for the top party post is Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Bhupesh Baghel.
