Gehlot has virtually acquired number 2 position in Congress. His chemistry with Rahul is working well for party
This is the third generation of Gandhi family, Ashok Gehlot is working with. Since Indira Gandhi days when he was hand picked and made deputy union minister for tourism and civil aviation, he has been a true loyalist. His proximity with Rajiv Gandhi and then Sonia Gandhi is well known in political circle. And now his new found chemistry with Rahul Gandhi is creating waves. If Gujarat has come within the striking distance for Congress, credit goes to the dual efforts of Rahul and Gehlot. While Gehlot puts in his more than 4-decade rich political acumen in force, Rahul with his sheer boldness and untiring campaigning made it tough for PM Modi and his team.
Gehlot, who was not considered a natural ally for Rahul Gandhi, has become his shadow.
“He has virtually taken up number two position after Rahul in the party. It was quite evident when he was seen instructing senior leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and others during poll campaign in Gujarat,” said a senior Congressman.
The miraculous revival of dead Congress in Gujarat has made Gehlot a national leader from a regional satrap. Now the party looks upto him for a larger role. A role which can bring back Congress in the 2019 elections.
Senior party leaders have started speculating his future role even before results of Gujarat elections. Some say that he may play the role to Rahul what Ahmad Patel played to Sonia except the fund raising part as Gehlot is not comfortable in generating money for the party. Gehlot is the discovery of Gujarat elections for Congress. The way he brokered alliances Congress with youth power of Hardin Patel, Jignesh Mewani and Alpesh Thakore, he emerged as true ‘Chanakya’ of Congress.
“Now Gehlot has overgrown for state politics. In Rajasthan elections also, Gehlot may have a say in ticket distribution and overall strategy but chances have brighten for Sachin to Pilot the elections,” said a senior party leader.
The situation suits well to Vasundhara Raje also. She considers Gehlot as more fierce opponent than Pilot.
“Pilot is aggressive and well placed to give a tough fight to BJP. Since Pilot has not been able to register any major victory against BJP during Raje’s rule, she is more comfortable contesting against him,” said a BJP leader.
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 "Ashok Gehlot")
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