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Highlights: Ashok Gehlot to take oath as Rajasthan CM, Sachin Pilot as deputy CM on Dec 17
After two days of deliberations and endless meetings Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday appointed veteran leader Ashok Gehlot, 67, as the chief minister of Rajasthan and state party unit chief Sachin Pilot,41, as his deputy.The announcement came after two days of consultations involving partymen, Gehlot, Pilot and even United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra.The Congress won a landslide in Chhattisgarh, clearly won Rajasthan, and edged out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the elected legislators of all three states passed resolutions asking Gandhi to pick their CMs. There were two aspirants in Madhya Pradesh, Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia; two in Rajasthan, Gehlot and Pilot; and three in Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, TS Singhdeo, and Tamradhwaj Sahu.The Congress was one short of a clear majority in Rajasthan, winning 99 of the 199 seats for which polls were held. In Madhya Pradesh, it was two seats short of the 116 mark while in Chhattisgarh, it had bagged two-thirds majority with 68 seats.Here are the highlights:
8:31 pm IST
Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot to take oath on Dec 17
We would like to thank the public and our workers. Oath ceremony of chief minister and deputy chief minister will take place on December 17 and then the cabinet will be inducted: Ashok Gehlot
8:20 pm IST
Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot meet Kalyan Singh
Rajasthan CM designate Ashok Gehlot and deputy CM designate Sachin Pilot meet Governor Kalyan Singh at the Governor’s House in Jaipur.
Rajasthan: CM designate Ashok Gehlot and Deputy CM designate Sachin Pilot meet Governor Kalyan Singh at the Governor's House in Jaipur. pic.twitter.com/VnDaPUamS7
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018
4:38 pm IST
Congress delegation to meet Rajasthan governor at 7 pm
Congress delegation to meet Rajasthan governor Kalyan Singh in Jaipur at 7 pm, reports ANI.
4:15 pm IST
Thankful for being given the opportunity to serve again: Ashok Gehlot
Very thankful to Rahul Gandhi and other leaders who have given me the opportunity to serve again, says Ashok Gehlot.
Sachin Pilot and I will give good governance in Rajasthan: Gehlot
4:13 pm IST
Ashok Gehlot to be Rajasthan’s CM
Ashok Gehlot to be Rajasthan’s next chief minister, Sachin Pilot his deputy
4:10 pm IST
Congress press conference begins
Announcement of Rajasthan CM likely to be soon.
3:35 pm IST
Sachin Pilot likely to be deputy CM of Rajasthan
Sachin Pilot to be deputy chief minister of Rajasthan, reports ANI. He will also continue to be Rajasthan Congress chief.
2:57 pm IST
Want Congress deliver priorities it has set for Chhattisgarh: TS Singh Deo
Congress leader TS Singh Deo says,” I want that Congress deliver the priorities it has set for Chhattisgarh as soon as possible. Rahul Gandhi ji had assured that loans will be waived off within 10 days of the formation of the government,” reports news agency ANI.
TS Singh Deo, Congress: I want that Congress deliver the priorities it has set for Chhattisgarh as soon as possible. Rahul Gandhi ji had assured that loans will be waived off within 10 days of the formation of the govt. #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/arhiQdyHIZ
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018
2:49 pm IST
Rahul tweets photo with Gehlot, Pilot, calls it ‘United colours of Rajasthan’
Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweets a photo with party leaders Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot ahead of announcement on Rajasthan chief minister’s name.
The united colours of Rajasthan! pic.twitter.com/D1mjKaaBsa
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 14, 2018
2:42 pm IST
Announcement on Rajasthan CM at 4:30 pm today: Congress general secretary Avinash Pandey
Congress general secretary Avinash Pandey says name of Rajasthan chief minister announcement will take place at 4.30 pm today at AICC in Delhi.
2:34 pm IST
We will abide by high command’s decision: Bhupesh Baghel
Chhattisgarh Congress president Bhupesh Baghel says, “We have given the authority to the High Command to decide the name (of the CM), whatever they decide, we’ll go by it,” reports news agency ANI.
Bhupesh Baghel, Chhattisgarh Congress President: We have given the authority to the High Command to decide the name (of the CM), whatever they decide, we'll go by it. pic.twitter.com/JaM9MFZu2H
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018
2:25 pm IST
Jyotiraditya Scindia congratulates people of Madhya Pradesh
Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia tweets a video, where he congratulates the people of Madhya Pradesh and the party workers and leaders. He says the party has to fight many challenges.
1:44 pm IST
Hope to fulfil people’s expectations: Kamal Nath
Madhya Pradesh chief minister designate Kamal Nath says,” I would like to thank public and I hope that we will live up to the expectations that public has from us and the Congress Party. Our priorities will be agriculture sector and generating employment for the youth,” reports news agency ANI.
Kamal Nath, Madhya Pradesh CM designate: I would like to thank public and I hope that we will live up to the expectations that public has from us and the Congress party. Our priorities will be agriculture sector & generating employment for the youth. pic.twitter.com/Ik8w5h26Kj
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018
1:42 pm IST
Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulates Madhya Pradesh CM designate Kamal Nath
Outgoing Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says, “I would like congratulate Kamal Nath Ji and convey my best wishes to him. I hope he will fulfill all the promises he has made and continue with the schemes we had implemented,” reports news agency ANI.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: I would like congratulate Kamal Nath Ji and convey my best wishes to him. I hope he will fulfill all the promises he has made and continue with the schemes we had implemented. #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/3prwIHOz8I
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018
1:24 pm IST
Ashok Gehlot’s supporters chant slogans
Supporters of former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot dance and chant “ Ashok Gehlot zindabad”, outside his residence in Jaipur.
1:20 pm IST
Congress leader Jitendra Singh met Sachin Pilot earlier in the day
Sources said former Union minister and party leader from Rajasthan Jitendra Singh met Sachin Pilot earlier in the day and then met Congress president Rahul Gandhi, reports PTI.
1:14 pm IST
Gehlot, Pilot were called by Rahul for an amicable settlement
According to sources, both Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot were called by Congress president Rahul Gandhi for an amicable settlement to the issue amid a clear fight between the old and the young guard in the party, reports PTI.
1:02 pm IST
No dispute within party on who will be Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh CM: Randeep Surjewala
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala says, “No dispute or differences within party on who will be chief minister in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh; due process of discussion is on,” reports PTI.
12:25 pm IST
Gehlot and Pilot reach Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s residence
Both Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot reach Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s residence.
12:18 pm IST
Sachin Pilot arrives at Rahul Gandhi’s residence
Congress leader Sanchin Pilot arrives to meet party president Rahul Gandhi at his residence in New Delhi.
12:13 pm IST
Kamal Nath to take oath as Madhya Pradesh CM on December 17 in Bhopal
Congress’ Kamal Nath will take oath as Madhya Pradesh chief minister on December 17 in Bhopal.
12:10 pm IST
Congress leaders want infighting to end soon
The Congress leaders feel the infighting in Rajasthan should end soon and called an amicable solution in the manner Jyotiraditya Scindia gracefully accepted the Congress’s decision in Madhya Pradesh.
12:07 pm IST
Rahul Gandhi will take final decision which will be acceptable to all: Avinash Pandey
AICC general secretary in-charge of Rajasthan Avinash Pandey told PTI,” Congress president heard everyone and after wide consultations he will take the final decision which will be acceptable to all.”
11:44 am IST
Decision is not being delayed, BJP is spreading lies: Ashok Gehlot
Congress leader Ashok Gehlot says, “Decision is not being delayed, BJP is spreading lies. BJP took 7 days in Uttar Pradesh and nine days in Maharashtra to choose a chief minister.The process takes time,observers go to sates for discussion.Whenever such decision is taken it takes time,” reports news agency ANI.
Ashok Gehlot, Congress on #Rajasthan CM: Decision is not being delayed, BJP is spreading lies. BJP took 7 days in UP & 9 days in Maharashtra to choose a CM.The process takes time,observers go to sates for discussion.Whenever such decision is taken it takes time. pic.twitter.com/4zYrrc7upt
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018
11:10 am IST
Congress leadership want Gehlot, Pilot to be present together at CLP meet
The Congress leadership want Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot to be present together at the CLP meet. Sources said the Congress top brass was upset with the manner in which party workers resorted to arson and violence in the state in a bid to exert pressure on the party to name Pilot, reports PTI.
11:05 am IST
Ashok Gehlot has emerged as front runner for the top post
After several rounds of discussions that lasted till Thursday midnight, Congress veteran Ashok Gehlot has emerged as a front runner for the top post, while Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot is being placated in attempts to broker peace between the two, reports PTI.
11:00 am IST
Decision of Rajasthan’s next CM likely to be taken before noon
The decision of Rajasthan’s next chief minister is likely to be taken before noon and will be made public at a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in state capital Jaipur, sources said, reports PTI.
10:55 am IST
Rahul to hold fresh round of discussions with Gehlot, Pilot
Congress president Rahul Gandhi is likely to hold a fresh round of discussions Friday with Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, the two chief ministerial aspirants in Rajasthan, before taking a final call for the top post, reports PTI.
10:50 am IST
Not first time a party has delayed announcing names of CMs of a state
This is not the first time a party has delayed announcing the names for the top job in a state. The BJP took nine days after the results of the Maharashtra elections were announced in October 2014 to pick Devendra Fadnavis as its chief minister. And in March 2017, it took the BJP eight days after the Uttar Pradesh election results to name Yogi Adityanath for the job.
10:45 am IST
Rahul Gandhi seeks views of party workers through internal messaging system
Congress president Rahul Gandhi had sought views of party workers through an internal messaging system with a pre-recorded message asking them to send their views directly to him through the application.
10:41 am IST
Scuffles took place in Chhattisgarh
In Chhattisgarh, some scuffles took place yesterday outside the residence of state party chief Bhupesh Baghel, T S Singh Deo, OBC leader Tamradhwaj Sahu and party veteran Charan Das Mahant, reports PTI.
10:34 am IST
‘You will see a chief minister soon’: Rahul Gandhi
On Thursday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi told reporters at Parliament House: “Yes, you will see a chief minister soon. We are checking, taking inputs from different people in the party. We are taking inputs from MLAs and workers. We are getting a comprehensive answer to what the Congress party and others feel.”
10:15 am IST
Gehlot, Pilot supporters blocked roads, staged protests
As Congress leaders discussed the options in Delhi yesterday, supporters got restless in Rajasthan blocking roads and staging protests. They gathered outside the party office and the residences of Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot holding placards, cutouts and shouting slogans.
9:50 am IST
TS Singh Deo, Bhupesh Baghel and Charan Das Mahant to meet Rahul Gandhi
Chhattisgarh Lok Sabha MP TS Singh Deo, Patan MLA Bhupesh Baghel and party veteran Charan Das Mahant will reach Delhi in an hour to meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
9:40 am IST
Race in Chhattisgarh is among Bhupesh Baghel, TS Singh Deo and Tamradhwaj Sahu
The race in Chhattisgarh is primarily among state unit chief and Patan MLA Bhupesh Baghel, party veteran TS Singh Deo, who was the leader of opposition in the former assembly, and the party’s lone Lok Sabha MP from the state, Tamradhwaj Sahu.
9:35 am IST
Rajasthan CM name will be announced today: Venugopal
Senior Congress leader and Rajasthan observer KC Venugopal told ANI that there would be a final decision on who would assume the office of chief minister in Rajasthan today morning. The intense tussle lies between veteran leader and two time CM of the state Ashok Gehlot, and youth gun Sachin Pilot, who is credited for ressuructing the Congress in Rajasthan after 2013.
Senior Congress leader and Rajasthan observer KC Venugopal said that there would be a final decision on who would assume the office of chief minister in Rajasthan on Friday morning
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/KRgX89srth pic.twitter.com/bgMVVFRGMt
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) December 13, 2018
9:30 am IST
Sea of supporters to welcome Gehlot
Even as mystery over the name of Rajasthan’s next chief minister continues, scores of people gathered at Jaipur airport to give Congress leader Ashok Gehlot a warm welcome when he returns from Delhi.
“The time to see him is coming near. Anytime soon he will come out of the exit gate. We are happy that he will become the chief minister since now we will not have to worry about casteism. A person, who is well connected to the earth, is going to become the chief minister,” said Mahesh Saini, a supporter waiting outside the airport.
9:15 am IST
Supporters of Sachin Pilot block road in Karauli
Congress leader Sachin Pilot’s supporters say it was unfair to deny him the chief minister’s chair after he delivered on his mandate. On Thursday, the supporters blocked roads in Bharatpur and Karauli in protest.
Rajasthan: Supporters of Sachin Pilot block road in Karauli. pic.twitter.com/AlcUQntL0C
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
9:10 am IST
Elected MLAs pass resolution to pick CMs
On Wednesday, the elected legislators of all three states passed resolutions asking Congress president Rahul Gandhi to pick their chief ministers.
8:56 am IST
Nothing to worry, just wait: Ashok Gehlot
“I appeal to workers to maintain calm, they have worked very hard, whatever decisions will be taken will be binding on all. Rahul ji is talking to and consulting all leaders. The decision will be taken soon, there is nothing to worry. Just wait,” Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said, reports news agency ANI.
8:46 am IST
I have full faith in party’s leadership: Sachin Pilot
Sachin Pilot tweeted, “I appeal to all party workers to keep calm and maintain discipline. I have full faith in the party’s leadership. We will welcome whatever decision is taken by Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.”
8:35 am IST
Rahul Gandhi has been closeted at meetings
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has been closeted at meetings for a larger part of the day on Thursday to decide on chief ministers for Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh where the Congress dislodged the ruling BJP governments.
8:30 am IST
Chhattisgarh CM’s name likely to be announced today
The name of the next Chhattisgarh chief minister is likely to be announced today.
8:25 am IST
Pilot, Gehlot ask their supporters to be calm
Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot have asked their supporters to be calm as the party decides on who will be the next chief minister of Rajasthan following its win in assembly elections two days ago.
8:20 am IST
Whatever responsibility leadership will give, we will follow: Bhupesh Baghel
Chhattisgarh Congress president Bhupesh Baghel says, “After the elections results, the observer came here and had a meeting with all MLAs. It was mutually decided that the final decision will be taken by Congress high command. Whatever responsibility leadership will give, we will follow,” reports news agency ANI.
Bhupesh Baghel, Chhattisgarh Congress President: After the elections results, the observer came here&had a meeting with all MLAs. It was mutually decided that the final decision will be taken by Congress high command. Whatever responsibility leadership will give, we will follow. pic.twitter.com/mURXTYzYks
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018
8:14 am IST
Rajasthan CM’s name likely to be announced today
Rajasthan chief minister’s name is likely to be announced today.
