Almost a week after the Congress central leadership left the question of a change of guard in Rajasthan open, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is trying to project an image of continuity by packing his schedule with official meetings, overseeing preparations for the Invest Rajasthan Summit-2022 in Jaipur on October 7-8, and even hinting that he will present the State’s Budget next year as well. Speculation is rife that the Rajasthan question will be settled after October 19, when the new Congress president takes over.
Mr. Gehlot’s business-as-usual approach comes even as some MLAs who earlier stood by him are now signalling a rethink in favour of the rival claimant for the top post, Sachin Pilot. The former Deputy CM is busy mending relationships with detractors and consolidating his support base. On Monday night, he visited Cabinet Minister Pratap Singh Kachariyawas, who has been a vociferous advocate for Mr. Gehlot in the current crisis. A day later, he hosted some legislators at his residence, including Minister Rajendra Gudha, who had switched to the Pilot camp from the Gehlot faction.
