Ashok Gehlot likely to be Rajasthan Chief Minister, according to sources.
Two-time chief minister Ashok Gehlot will be chief minister of Rajasthan, sources in the Congress have told NDTV. An official announcement on the matter will be made soon, they added.
This morning, Rahul Gandhi had a one on one meeting with the two top contenders; Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot at his residence.
The Congress legislature party (CLP) in Rajasthan on Wednesday passed a single-line resolution authorising party president Rahul Gandhi to decide name of the chief minister.
In all the three states where Congress has emerged victorious signalling a newfound energy in the party ranks to stop the BJP juggernaut before the 2019 general elections, the newly-elected MLAs met in the presence of party's central observers, while party leaders also met governors in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to stake government formation claims.
Here are the highlights on the Rajasthan Assembly election result and Congress' meet with Rahul Gandhi to decide the next chief minister:
Sachin Pilot has accepted Deputy Chief Minister's post, say sources
It is not known whether Sachin Pilot has accepted the Deputy Chief Minister post. It took several rounds of meetings over the past 36 hours to bring the 41-year-old leader on board. Rahul Gandhi's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also joined one of the meetings.
After meeting Sachin Pilot, Rahul Gandhi will reportedly meet Ashok Gehlot
Sachin Pilot arrives at Rahul Gandhi's residence
We have won three states under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi This is just a message to the people who spread violence in the Hindi heartland. They should know they can't undermine democracy, he added.
Our party stands united. I urge people to maintain peace- Ashok Gehlot
Amid protests in Rajasthan, Mr Pilot also urged media to not spread rumours and only carry credible news.
As wait for Chief minister sparked protests in Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot appealed to people for peace. "Urge all cadres to maintain peace and discipline. I have a full confidence on the top leadership of the party, Hon. Rahul Gandhi and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi who will decide it will be welcome. All of us dedicated to the Congress, the Party's dignity and responsibility of all of us," he tweeted
- Two-time chief minister Ashok Gehlot was the next to meet Rahul Gandhi.
- The 67-year-old - who, as a young upcoming leader was handpicked for Rajasthan by Rahul Gandhi's father Rajiv Gandhi - walked out of that meeting with a figurative spring in his step. He took a flight back to Jaipur.
- Sachin Pilot, a former union minister in the Manmohan Singh government, did not go down without a fight.
- He repeatedly argued that most of the 99 newly-elected Congress lawmakers in Rajasthan wanted to see him as chief minister.
- Sources say Ashok Gehlot, a seasoned leader, had the support of party leaders who are more concerned about the 2019 national election.
- The Congress general secretary is in charge of several party panels and training.
Ashok Gehlot to be next Rajasthan Chief Minister, say sources. Announcement expected soon.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot reaches Congress President Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi.
Rajasthan Independent MLA Mahadev Singh Khandela to news agency ANI: The public of Rajasthan wants Ashok Gehlot as the Chief Minister. I also have the same wishes. And I think the high command will also take the same decision.
Rajasthan Independent MLA Rajkumar Gaur to news agency ANI: He (Ashok Gehlot) has served as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan twice. He has experience. The public of Rajasthan and the independent MLAs want him to be appointed as the Chief Minister.
Supporters of Congress leader Sachin Pilot gathered outside All India Congress Committee headquarters in Delhi and are raising slogans demanding selection of Pilot as Rajasthan Chief Minister, reports news agency ANI
Speaking to NDTV, Rahul Gandhi said it was an attempt to connect with the party workers and get them to communicate, and also an effort to find out who would be suitable for the top post.
Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot arrive in Delhi to meet the Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
Ashok Gehlot on deciding of Rajasthan's Chief Minister
Observers have taken everyone's opinion, in a peaceful way. Congress President Rahul Gandhi had to take a decision, observers have arrived in Delhi. A discussion will be held and the decision will be taken today.
On Wednesday, BSP Chief Mayawati had announced to support the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
She said, we fought these elections to ensure that the BJP does not come back to power. While BSP has performed well, we did not do as well as we had thought.
Ms Mayawati added that her party's aim is to keep the BJP out of power. And that is why they have decided to support the Congress in Madhya Pradesh.
- Congress made a stunning comeback in Rajasthan winning 99 of 199 seats.
- Sources in the party say Ashok Gehlot has emerged as the front-runner for the post. Another popular choice for Rajasthan's next chief minister is Sachin Pilot.
- Rajasthan has a 200-member assembly, but polling on Alwar's Ramgarh constituency was postponed following the death of the Bahujan Samaj Party candidate.
- Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the selection of chief ministers in the three states will be done "smoothly".
- Mr Gandhi also said that the party effectively "ironed out" tensions among the leaders within the party in various states ahead of the elections.