The central observers have held discussions with the MLAs. The high command will decide on the CLP leader based on the report that the observers will submit, says Bharatsinh Solanki
With a number of its MLAs staking claim, the party deferred making an announcement on the next Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader at the end of its two-day meeting on Thursday. It is now likely to make the announcement in a day or two.
Over the past two days, Congress's central observers Ashok Gehlot and Jitendra Singh held discussions with the party's newly elected MLAs to get a sense of who should lead them.
"The two observers have held detailed discussions with the MLAs, both in groups as well as individually. They will submit a report of the discussions to the party, and the high command would make a decision on who will become the CLP leader," Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki said.
According to Solanki, the MLAs had already passed a resolution authorising Congress president Rahul Gandhi to appoint the CLP leader.
"We have many leaders and all of them can perform very well as CLP leader," Solanki said when quizzed about the front-runners.
Paresh Dhanani, the MLA from Amreli seat, is seen as one of the front-runners, and the party's Patidar MLAs have backed his claim before the observers. However, a number of other senior leaders, such as Kunvarji Bavaliya and Vikram Madam, have also staked claim on the post. Ten-term MLA Mohansinh Rathwa is also said to be in the reckoning.
Congress insiders said the announcement has been deferred so as to convey the same to the other claimants to avoid fissures within the party.
Gehlot said the party would announce the CLP leader in a day or two. He clarified that the decision would be made solely on merit and not under pressure from anyone.
"No MLA or leader should be under the impression that the party will succumb to their pressure," he said.
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