Gehlot apologises, opts out of Congress poll citing moral responsibility
Hindustan TimesChief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday announced he will not contest Congress’s October 17 presidential poll taking moral responsibility for the crisis triggered in Rajasthan after lawmakers ostensibly close to him opposed his rival Sachin Pilot’s elevation to the state’s top job. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot leaves after meeting Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The crisis began late on Sunday when 92 lawmakers loyal to Gehlot gathered at minister Shanti Dhariwal’s residence instead of attending a Congress legislature party meeting to virtually formalise the transfer of power from Gehlot to Pilot by passing a resolution authorising Gandhi to pick the next chief minister. I was given responsibilities as Union minister, state party chief, Congress general secretary, and chief minister thrice.” He added what transpired on Sunday last shook them and called it unfortunate.