According to a report in Dainik Bhaskar, pictures of all prominent Congress leaders appeared on the banner which was showcased in the first AGM Political Reporter meeting, organised by PCC chief Sachin Pilot in Ajmer, Rajasthan, on Monday, except that of former Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot.
Despite being one of the most senior Congress members, a former union minister and an ex-Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Gehlot’s picture not appearing on the banner became the prime topic of discussion throughout the meeting.
Congress’ names like, Sonia Gandhi, President Rahul Gandhi, All India Congress Committee’s Advisor Avinash Pandey, National Secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Vivek Bansal, PCC Chief Sachin Pilot, Member of Parliament Dr. Raghu Sharma, recently appointed State chief Lalit Bhati, Former MLA Dr. Srgopal Baheti, Dr. Rajkumar Jaipal, former mayor Kamal Bacolia, City Congress Committee president Vijay Jain, candidate of Ajmer North, Mahendra Singh Ralawatya, candidate of Ajmer South, Hemant Bhati, block president Kailash Komal, Rajkumar Tulsiani, Rakesh Sankhala and Imran Siddiqui, all appeared on the poster, which was displayed on the stage during the meeting. Congress stalwart Ashok Gehlot was the only important name which did not find a place on the Congress’ party poster.
Though City Congress committee President, Vijay Jain said that Gehlot’s picture missing from the poster was not intentional, the alleged rift between Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot over the Chief Ministerial position in Rajasthan was being contemplated as the reason behind this blunder.
The Congress leader, who served thrice as Union minister under Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Narasimha Rao, is pitted against PCC chief Sachin Pilot as a probable Congress CM candidate and both are contesting the state election.
Though the Congress’ intention of excluding the picture of a party veteran and former CM from the poster ahead of the Rajasthan assembly elections is still not clear, it would be interesting to see whether this internal party politics will have an adverse effect on the party’s electoral performance and future action.
