After much speculation, Congress has announced Ashok Gehlot as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. Sachin Pilot will serve as the Deputy Chief Minister.
https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1073529073337548801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The announcement comes in the backdrop of recently concluded high-octane state assembly elections which saw Congress emerge as the single largest party, falling just short of majority mark. The elections brought forward the bitter infighting between the Gehlot and Pilot camps even during the campaign for the Rajasthan Assembly elections. The infighting transformed into a series of intense discussions within the party that delayed the announcement.
Yesterday, supporters of Sachin Pilot had blocked a road in Karauli, Rajasthan when rumours began to circulate that Gehlot had won the race for CM. Pilot was forced to appeal to his supporters to maintain peace and exercise patience on social media. Today, Pilot’s supporters climbed a water tank and raised slogans in support of their leader.
The decision to appoint Gehlot as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan is unlikely to go down well with the supporters of Pilot. Apart from their demonstrations in public, they have also let their opinions known on social media.
One supporter said, “We will not be fooled twice. If you (Sachin pilot) are made CM, then it’s alright. Otherwise, 2019 Lok Sabha elections are approaching. The party should be prepared for the consequences.”
https://twitter.com/RakeshS00315439/status/1073270524061642752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/yatendrapcc/status/1073253499033534465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Another said, “The person who suffered blows from lathis, how can we forget this person. The Chief Minister of Rajasthan will be Sachin Pilot only. Otherwise, be prepared to face the consequences in 2019.”
https://twitter.com/RajPara88030057/status/1073256739758325760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/HamidDuduINC/status/1073229281507987456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The Congress might have to face consequences due to the infighting within their party in 2019. The task ahead for Rahul Gandhi, now that Ashok Gehlot has been appointed the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, will be to ensure that the rage of Pilot’s supporters is pacified.