A Congress delegation will meet Governor Kalyan Singh at 7 pm Wednesday to stake claim to form the government in Rajasthan.

Raj Bhawan sources said the governor has given an appointment to a Congress delegation for 7 pm.&nbsp;

The delegation will be headed by the leader of the Congress Legislature Party, which will be picked by Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the chief minister's post after getting feedback from the newly elected MLAs.&nbsp;

The contenders for the chief minister's post are Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, both of whom won by a huge margin in their respective constituencies.&nbsp;

"We have a full majority and will stake claim to form the&nbsp;government in the evening. We will take along all non-BJP parties and elected members who are against the BJP and are willing to support us," Pilot told reporters at the state party office before the Congress Legislative Party meeting.

Asked about the choice of the chief minister, Pilot said the party's newly elected MLAs will debate the matter, and the party president will take a decision after that.

AICC General Secretary Avinash Pande and party's observer K C Venugopal will also seek the individual opinions of the party MLAs.

The Congress emerged as the single largest party in Rajasthan in Tuesday's vote count, winning 99 seats. Its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) won one seat, taking the alliance to a total of 100 seats -- the required number to form the&nbsp;government.

The BJP got 73 seats, and the Bahujan Samaj Party won six seats.

BSP leader Mayawati on Wednesday pledged support for the Congress. The CPI(M) got two seats, independents won 13 and other parties got 6, according to the state Election Commission.

A Congress delegation will meet Governor Kalyan Singh at 7 pm Wednesday to stake claim to form the government in Rajasthan. Raj Bhawan sources said the governor has given an appointment to a Congress delegation for 7 pm.

A Congress delegation will meet Governor Kalyan Singh at 7 pm Wednesday to stake claim to form the government in Rajasthan. Raj Bhawan sources said the governor has given an appointment to a Congress delegation for 7 pm. The delegation will be headed by the leader of the Congress Legislature Party, which will be picked by Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the chief minister's post after getting feedback from the newly elected MLAs. The contenders for the chief minister's post are Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, both of whom won by a huge margin in their respective constituencies. "We have a full majority and will stake claim to form the government in the evening. We will take along all non-BJP parties and elected members who are against the BJP and are willing to support us," Pilot told reporters at the state party office before the Congress Legislative Party meeting. Asked about the choice of the chief minister, Pilot said the party's newly elected MLAs will debate the matter, and the party president will take a decision after that. AICC General Secretary Avinash Pande and party's observer K C Venugopal will also seek the individual opinions of the party MLAs. The Congress emerged as the single largest party in Rajasthan in Tuesday's vote count, winning 99 seats. Its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) won one seat, taking the alliance to a total of 100 seats -- the required number to form the government. The BJP got 73 seats, and the Bahujan Samaj Party won six seats. BSP leader Mayawati on Wednesday pledged support for the Congress. The CPI(M) got two seats, independents won 13 and other parties got 6, according to the state Election Commission.

Rajasthan: Congress delegation to meet governor at 7 pm

The Congress was poised on Wednesday to form governments in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, signalling a newfound energy in the party ranks and energising opposition efforts to stop the BJP juggernaut before general elections next year.&nbsp;

Belying predictions of exit polls, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/it-is-time-for-change-rahul-gandhi-after-poll-results-183326">the Congress won convincingly in Chattisgarh</a>, less so in Rajasthan, and scraped through with a wafer-thin lead in Madhya Pradesh, final results showed after the vote count on Tuesday.&nbsp;

All eyes now were on party president Rahul Gandhi's choice of chief ministers of the three states, which he will decide after the victorious MLAs finish their meetings in the three states.&nbsp;

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Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi described the party's good showing in the Hindi heartland states as a victory over the BJP's "negative politics".

It was a "Congress victory over the BJP's negative politics," she said.

In Rajasthan, the contenders for the chief minister's post are Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, both of whom won huge victories in their constituencies.&nbsp;

"We have full majority and will stake claim to form government in the evening. We will take along all non-BJP parties and elected members who are against BJP and are willing to support us," Pilot told reporters at the Pradesh&nbsp;Congress Committee before the Congress Legislative Party meeting.

Asked about the choice of the chief minister, Pilot said the party's newly elected MLAs will debate the question, and the party president will take a decision after that. AICC General Secretary Avinash Pande and party's observer KC Venugopal will seek individual opinion of the party MLAs in the meeting.

The Congress emerged as the single-largest party in Rajasthan in Tuesday's vote count, winning 99 seats. It's ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) won one seat for a total of 100 seats -- the required number to form government.

The BJP got 73 seats, and the Bahujan Samaj Party won 6 seats. BSP leader Mayawati on Wednesday pledged support for the Congress. The CPI(M) got two seats, Independents won 13 and other parties got 6, according to the state Election Commission.&nbsp;

In Chattisgarh, the contenders for the CM post are Lok Sabha member Tamradhwaj Sahu, who successfully contested the Assembly election from Durg Rural seat, state party chief Bhupesh Baghel and senior leader TS Singhdeo.

The Congress victory in Chhattisgarh ended the 15-year rule of the Raman Singh-led Bharatiya Janata Party government. It won 68 seats in the 90-member Assembly, while the BJP got only 15 seats.

A party needs to win 46 seats to form government in the state.

"The Congress Legislature Party meeting will be held at 8 pm. All India Congress Committee's observer Mallikarjun&nbsp; 
Kharge, AICC in-charge for the state P L Punia and other senior leaders will be present there," state party unit's general secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi told PTI.

The chief minister is likely to be announced after the meeting.

The Congress got 43 per cent of the total votes polled in the state, while the BJP got 33 per cent.&nbsp;

After a see-saw battle on Tuesday, Congress emerged as the single largest party in Madhya Pradesh with 114 seats, two short of a simple majority. The BJP, which had ruled the state for 15 years, got 109 seats.

Three-time Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhhan tendered his resignation on Wednesday to Governor Anandiben Patel, who then met a Congress delegation here at noon after party leaders staked claim on the government.

Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav announced their parties' support to the Congress in Madhya Pradesh. BSP got two and SP one seat in the MP Assembly polls.

Congress has also claimed support of the four independents, all Congress rebels, who emerged victorious. 
After meeting the Governor, senior Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia came out of the Raj Bhavan and flashed victory signs.&nbsp;

In Mumbai, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said the Assembly election results mark the "beginning of a change" and a "rejection" of the BJP-led government's policies.

Pawar, who turned 78 on Wednesday, said his party would support the Congress and also suggested the SP and the BSP throw their weight behind Congress.

Referring to the constant criticism of Rahul Gandhi by the BJP, the former Union minister said people did not like the Congress president being "ridiculed".

"People have expressed disappointment against the Modi government... The Assembly poll results mark the beginning of a change... People rejected the anti-farmers, anti-traders policies of Modi," Pawar told reporters here.

The Shiv Sena, an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra, said people have brought "those flying in the air back to the ground".

In an editorial in the party mouthpiece 'Saamana', the party alleged that the country was being run according to the "whims" of four-five businessmen, and this was "breaking" important institutions like the Reserve Bank of India.

The BJP first "drove away" allies and later lost important states, it said, adding that elections cannot be won merely on the back of big talks.

"The results clearly show that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and (BJP president) Amit Shah's dream of making the country Congress-mukt has gone to the dust in BJP's own regime. People of these states have indicated at a 'BJP-mukt' regime," the Marathi publication said.&nbsp;

The Congress was poised on Wednesday to form governments in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, signalling a newfound energy in the party ranks and energising opposition efforts to stop the BJP juggernaut before general elections next year.

The Congress was poised on Wednesday to form governments in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, signalling a newfound energy in the party ranks and energising opposition efforts to stop the BJP juggernaut before general elections next year. Belying predictions of exit polls, the Congress won convincingly in Chattisgarh, less so in Rajasthan, and scraped through with a wafer-thin lead in Madhya Pradesh, final results showed after the vote count on Tuesday. All eyes now were on party president Rahul Gandhi's choice of chief ministers of the three states, which he will decide after the victorious MLAs finish their meetings in the three states. A one-line proposal has been passed at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Bhopal. The High Command will take a decision on the Chief Minister face. https://t.co/Md3l3WMzz2 — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2018 × Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi described the party's good showing in the Hindi heartland states as a victory over the BJP's "negative politics". It was a "Congress victory over the BJP's negative politics," she said. In Rajasthan, the contenders for the chief minister's post are Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, both of whom won huge victories in their constituencies. "We have full majority and will stake claim to form government in the evening. We will take along all non-BJP parties and elected members who are against BJP and are willing to support us," Pilot told reporters at the Pradesh Congress Committee before the Congress Legislative Party meeting. Asked about the choice of the chief minister, Pilot said the party's newly elected MLAs will debate the question, and the party president will take a decision after that. AICC General Secretary Avinash Pande and party's observer KC Venugopal will seek individual opinion of the party MLAs in the meeting. The Congress emerged as the single-largest party in Rajasthan in Tuesday's vote count, winning 99 seats. It's ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) won one seat for a total of 100 seats -- the required number to form government. The BJP got 73 seats, and the Bahujan Samaj Party won 6 seats. BSP leader Mayawati on Wednesday pledged support for the Congress. The CPI(M) got two seats, Independents won 13 and other parties got 6, according to the state Election Commission. In Chattisgarh, the contenders for the CM post are Lok Sabha member Tamradhwaj Sahu, who successfully contested the Assembly election from Durg Rural seat, state party chief Bhupesh Baghel and senior leader TS Singhdeo. The Congress victory in Chhattisgarh ended the 15-year rule of the Raman Singh-led Bharatiya Janata Party government. It won 68 seats in the 90-member Assembly, while the BJP got only 15 seats. A party needs to win 46 seats to form government in the state. "The Congress Legislature Party meeting will be held at 8 pm. All India Congress Committee's observer Mallikarjun Kharge, AICC in-charge for the state P L Punia and other senior leaders will be present there," state party unit's general secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi told PTI. The chief minister is likely to be announced after the meeting. The Congress got 43 per cent of the total votes polled in the state, while the BJP got 33 per cent. After a see-saw battle on Tuesday, Congress emerged as the single largest party in Madhya Pradesh with 114 seats, two short of a simple majority. The BJP, which had ruled the state for 15 years, got 109 seats. Three-time Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhhan tendered his resignation on Wednesday to Governor Anandiben Patel, who then met a Congress delegation here at noon after party leaders staked claim on the government. Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav announced their parties' support to the Congress in Madhya Pradesh. BSP got two and SP one seat in the MP Assembly polls. Congress has also claimed support of the four independents, all Congress rebels, who emerged victorious. After meeting the Governor, senior Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia came out of the Raj Bhavan and flashed victory signs. In Mumbai, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said the Assembly election results mark the "beginning of a change" and a "rejection" of the BJP-led government's policies. Pawar, who turned 78 on Wednesday, said his party would support the Congress and also suggested the SP and the BSP throw their weight behind Congress. Referring to the constant criticism of Rahul Gandhi by the BJP, the former Union minister said people did not like the Congress president being "ridiculed". "People have expressed disappointment against the Modi government... The Assembly poll results mark the beginning of a change... People rejected the anti-farmers, anti-traders policies of Modi," Pawar told reporters here. The Shiv Sena, an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra, said people have brought "those flying in the air back to the ground". In an editorial in the party mouthpiece 'Saamana', the party alleged that the country was being run according to the "whims" of four-five businessmen, and this was "breaking" important institutions like the Reserve Bank of India. The BJP first "drove away" allies and later lost important states, it said, adding that elections cannot be won merely on the back of big talks. "The results clearly show that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and (BJP president) Amit Shah's dream of making the country Congress-mukt has gone to the dust in BJP's own regime. People of these states have indicated at a 'BJP-mukt' regime," the Marathi publication said.

All eyes now on whom Rahul Gandhi will choose as his chief ministers

Ashok Gehlot didn't make the Congress disappear altogether in Rajasthan and, in any case, the party's good showing in the assembly polls wasn't a solo act. But on Tuesday the Congress appeared close to picking the magician at heart for the chief minister's job.

Gehlot has said magic is in his soul. At a conjurors' convention in 2015 which he inaugurated by performing a little trick of his own, the veteran told the audience he would have followed in his magician father's footstep had he not joined politics.

This he did thanks to Indira Gandhi, according to some accounts. She is said to have noticed his work with refugees in the northeast and roped him in.

In his early years as a politician, he headed the Rajasthan unit of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and was later seen as a staunch loyalist of the Gandhi family.

Some in the party called him "gilli billi", a tag which referred to his past when he performed magic as an assistant to his father Laxman Singh Daksh on his tours.

Now, after a gap of five years, the veteran could be back in the saddle as chief minister.

After a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party in the state capital on Wednesday, party president <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/it-is-time-for-change-rahul-gandhi-after-poll-results-183326">Rahul Gandhi will take a call </a>between the seasoned 67-year-old and Sachin Pilot, the youthful Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president.

Sometimes called "Rajasthan's Gandhi" for his simple lifestyle and mass connect, Gehlot has been chief minister twice earlier.

The first stint was in 1998-2003 and the second ended in 2013, with the Bharatiya Janata Party's Vasundhara Raje succeeding him each time.

Gehlot has also been at the helm of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee four times.

Currently an All India Congress Committee general secretary, Gehlot has been deployed by the party in crucial roles at the national level.

He was appointed AICC general secretary in charge of Gujarat just months ahead of last year's assembly polls. The Congress didn't win but managed to give the BJP a big scare in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state.

In the recent Karnataka assembly polls, he was there in Bengaluru along with Ghulam Nabi Azad to help stitch together a post-poll coalition with Janata Dal (Secular) to form the government.

After his first proper job in the organisation as NSUI's Rajasthan president from 1974 to 1979, he went on to become the Jodhpur district Congress committee president from 1979 to 1982. Then, he was elevated as the state Congress committee's general secretary.

He was first-elected to Parliament in 1980, and went on to win Lok Sabha elections four more times. Since 1999, he has represented the Sardarpura assembly constituency, winning five consecutive terms in the House.

At the Centre, Gehlot has served as a minister of state in the ministries of tourism, civil aviation, sports and textiles, in different stints between 1982 and 1993.

He was also the AICC general secretary in charge of Delhi and the Sewa Dal cell from 2004-2009 and member of the Congress Working Committee looking after Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.&nbsp;

Ashok Gehlot didn't make the Congress disappear altogether in Rajasthan and, in any case, the party's good showing in the assembly polls wasn't a solo act. But on Tuesday the Congress appeared close to picking the magician at heart for the chief minister's job.

Ashok Gehlot didn't make the Congress disappear altogether in Rajasthan and, in any case, the party's good showing in the assembly polls wasn't a solo act. But on Tuesday the Congress appeared close to picking the magician at heart for the chief minister's job. Gehlot has said magic is in his soul. At a conjurors' convention in 2015 which he inaugurated by performing a little trick of his own, the veteran told the audience he would have followed in his magician father's footstep had he not joined politics. This he did thanks to Indira Gandhi, according to some accounts. She is said to have noticed his work with refugees in the northeast and roped him in. In his early years as a politician, he headed the Rajasthan unit of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and was later seen as a staunch loyalist of the Gandhi family. Some in the party called him "gilli billi", a tag which referred to his past when he performed magic as an assistant to his father Laxman Singh Daksh on his tours. Now, after a gap of five years, the veteran could be back in the saddle as chief minister. After a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party in the state capital on Wednesday, party president Rahul Gandhi will take a call between the seasoned 67-year-old and Sachin Pilot, the youthful Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president. Sometimes called "Rajasthan's Gandhi" for his simple lifestyle and mass connect, Gehlot has been chief minister twice earlier. The first stint was in 1998-2003 and the second ended in 2013, with the Bharatiya Janata Party's Vasundhara Raje succeeding him each time. Gehlot has also been at the helm of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee four times. Currently an All India Congress Committee general secretary, Gehlot has been deployed by the party in crucial roles at the national level. He was appointed AICC general secretary in charge of Gujarat just months ahead of last year's assembly polls. The Congress didn't win but managed to give the BJP a big scare in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state. In the recent Karnataka assembly polls, he was there in Bengaluru along with Ghulam Nabi Azad to help stitch together a post-poll coalition with Janata Dal (Secular) to form the government. After his first proper job in the organisation as NSUI's Rajasthan president from 1974 to 1979, he went on to become the Jodhpur district Congress committee president from 1979 to 1982. Then, he was elevated as the state Congress committee's general secretary. He was first-elected to Parliament in 1980, and went on to win Lok Sabha elections four more times. Since 1999, he has represented the Sardarpura assembly constituency, winning five consecutive terms in the House. At the Centre, Gehlot has served as a minister of state in the ministries of tourism, civil aviation, sports and textiles, in different stints between 1982 and 1993. He was also the AICC general secretary in charge of Delhi and the Sewa Dal cell from 2004-2009 and member of the Congress Working Committee looking after Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Ashok Gehlot: Magician at heart could become Rajasthan CM

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajasthan-election-is-a-fight-about-about-truth-and-lies-ashok-gehlot-180448">Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot </a>Sunday accused BJP of mixing politics with caste and other issues.

'There is huge resentment among people against <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-leaders-have-no-regard-for-bharat-mata-rajasthan-cm-raje-179065">Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje</a>. Asking about mother and father of anyone can be an issue of criticism, but it cannot be an issue of doing politics,'&nbsp;Gehlot told reporters here.

'BJP is not doing politics based on issues. It has mixed other issues including castes,'&nbsp;he said.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gehlot alleged he was the first prime minister who is not doing politics on the issues maintaining the dignity of his post. "He should do politics on national and international issues", the Chief Minister said.

He said that elections are like festivals and should be celebrated with brotherhood and good feeling.

&nbsp;Gehlot said Congress president Rahul Gandhi has also said that the party doesn't have a fight with anyone, but it is a fight of ideology, policies and programmes.

They talk about Rahul Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, but Prime Minister Modi and Vasundhara will have to take 100 births to become Nehru,' he said.

On <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/demonetisation-a-massive-draconian-monetary-shock-former-chief-economic-adviser-arvind-subramanian-180150">demonetisation</a>, Gehlot said it was a black chapter and prime minister "shattered" the country's economy.

He also accused Vasundhara Raje government of closing down various public welfare schemes of the previous Congress government.

The Congress government had not&nbsp;closed down public welfare schemes of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Vasundhara Raje governments, he said.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot Sunday accused BJP of mixing politics with caste and other issues. 'There is huge resentment among people against Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot Sunday accused BJP of mixing politics with caste and other issues. 'There is huge resentment among people against Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. Asking about mother and father of anyone can be an issue of criticism, but it cannot be an issue of doing politics,' Gehlot told reporters here. 'BJP is not doing politics based on issues. It has mixed other issues including castes,' he said. Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gehlot alleged he was the first prime minister who is not doing politics on the issues maintaining the dignity of his post. "He should do politics on national and international issues", the Chief Minister said. He said that elections are like festivals and should be celebrated with brotherhood and good feeling. Gehlot said Congress president Rahul Gandhi has also said that the party doesn't have a fight with anyone, but it is a fight of ideology, policies and programmes. They talk about Rahul Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, but Prime Minister Modi and Vasundhara will have to take 100 births to become Nehru,' he said. On demonetisation, Gehlot said it was a black chapter and prime minister "shattered" the country's economy. He also accused Vasundhara Raje government of closing down various public welfare schemes of the previous Congress government. The Congress government had not closed down public welfare schemes of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Vasundhara Raje governments, he said.

BJP not doing issue based politics: Ashok Gehlot

By Madhuri Kalal

Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has said that he is confident about Congress's victory in the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. In an exclusive interview with Zee Hindustan, the veteran Congress leader said the people of Rajasthan were not happy with the working of Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vasundhara Raje.

Asserting that people were angry with Vasundhara, Gehlot said that the incumbent government was involved in scandals and scams. He further alleged that money from mafia was being pumped for the ruling party in the run up to the elections.

Talking about issues that would play a crucial role in deciding the fate of the parties, the former chief minister said that issues concerning education, women and farmers were most important. "18,000 schools were shut down. Urea is being distributed under police supervision, and there is no focus on issues like drought," said Gehlot.

He further rubbished allegations by the BJP that the Congress copied the ruling party's manifesto, saying that it was "obvious for them to say so as they have not fulfilled any of their promises".

When asked about Congress president Rahul Gandhi calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "chor (thief)", the veteran politician accused the BJP of "twisting" the fact and making it an "emotional issue". "In fact, Rahul Gandhi acts when anyone in Congress makes such remarks," he said, citing the example of CP Joshi, who had targeted Prime Minister Modi over the latter's caste.

According to the former Rajasthan chief minister, the fight in the state is between "truth and lies". He added, "The BJP should explain as to where it got all the money for election campaign."

"The real issues are food, clothes and houses. But they (BJP) mislead people. Prime Minister claims that personal attacks are made on him, but they do not refrain from talking about the caste of Lord Hanuman. They just seek sympathy," said the Congress leader, referring to a recent remark by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Gehlot further alleged that the "remote control of the government is with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)".

(Madhuri Kalal is assistant producer with Zee Hindustan)

By Madhuri Kalal Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has said that he is confident about Congress's victory in the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

By Madhuri Kalal Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has said that he is confident about Congress's victory in the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. In an exclusive interview with Zee Hindustan, the veteran Congress leader said the people of Rajasthan were not happy with the working of Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vasundhara Raje. Asserting that people were angry with Vasundhara, Gehlot said that the incumbent government was involved in scandals and scams. He further alleged that money from mafia was being pumped for the ruling party in the run up to the elections. Talking about issues that would play a crucial role in deciding the fate of the parties, the former chief minister said that issues concerning education, women and farmers were most important. "18,000 schools were shut down. Urea is being distributed under police supervision, and there is no focus on issues like drought," said Gehlot. He further rubbished allegations by the BJP that the Congress copied the ruling party's manifesto, saying that it was "obvious for them to say so as they have not fulfilled any of their promises". When asked about Congress president Rahul Gandhi calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "chor (thief)", the veteran politician accused the BJP of "twisting" the fact and making it an "emotional issue". "In fact, Rahul Gandhi acts when anyone in Congress makes such remarks," he said, citing the example of CP Joshi, who had targeted Prime Minister Modi over the latter's caste. According to the former Rajasthan chief minister, the fight in the state is between "truth and lies". He added, "The BJP should explain as to where it got all the money for election campaign." "The real issues are food, clothes and houses. But they (BJP) mislead people. Prime Minister claims that personal attacks are made on him, but they do not refrain from talking about the caste of Lord Hanuman. They just seek sympathy," said the Congress leader, referring to a recent remark by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Gehlot further alleged that the "remote control of the government is with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)". (Madhuri Kalal is assistant producer with Zee Hindustan)

Rajasthan election is a fight about truth and lies: Ashok Gehlot

Thirty-three of the total 200 Rajasthan Assembly constituencies are witnessing a fight between the same candidates of the BJP and the Congress who had contested the 2013 state polls.

Both the parties have changed their candidates on 43 seats this time.&nbsp;

On the remaining 124 seats, the two major parties have decided to field new candidates.

Of the 33 seats, 29 are sitting BJP MLAs and four are Congress MLAs that included former chief minister Ashok Gehlot.&nbsp;

Karanpur seat is witnessing a fight between Mines minister Surendra Pal Singh and former Congress minister Gurmeet Singh, who had lost 2013 election to Surendra Pal Singh with a margin of 3,853 votes, while Hanumagarh seat is being contested by Water Resources minister Ram Pratap and Congress candidate Vinod Chaudhary.&nbsp;

Chaudhary had faced defeat with a big margin of 30,487 votes but the Congress has fielded him again and the seat will witness a direct fight between both the candidates.&nbsp;

Former Congress minister Rajendra Pareek is in the fray in Sikar constituency, which was won by BJP's Ratan lal Jaldhari in 2013 with a margin of 13,015 votes.

The seat in Shekhwati region is all set to witness a triangular contest with Rashtriya Loktantrik Dal's Wahid Chauhan in the race.&nbsp;

Chauhan contested the last polls as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate and stood third by securing 29.10 per cent votes.&nbsp;

Former speaker and Congress candidate Deependra Singh Shekhaat is in&nbsp;fight with BJP's Jhabar Singh Kharra at Srimadhopur, while Chomu seat is also witnessing a direct fight between BJP MLA Ram Lal Sharma and Congress candidate Bhagwan Sahahi Saini.&nbsp;

The winning margin of Sharma was 44,473 in 2013.

Jaipur's hot seat civil lines is again witnessing the same fight like that of 2013 and the candidates are Social Justice and Empowerment minister Arun Chaturvedi and former Congress MLA Prapta Singh Khachariyawas.&nbsp;

A similar situation is in Malviya Nagar where Health minister Kalicharan Saraf is in a close battle with PCC vice-president Archana Sharma.&nbsp;

Candidates are same but people will vote for the Congress on December 7 because there is high resentment among people against Saraf who is facing corruption charges and people are inclined towards Congress, Sharma said.

People want clean leadership and corruption-free government which is focussed on development and the BJP failed to deliver and therefore the public is against the ruling party, she said.

Jayal seat of Nagaur district is also having repeat candidates and both are women named Manju.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has retained sitting MLA Manju Baghmar while the Congress has again fielded Manju Devi on the seat reserved for SC candidates.&nbsp;

Jodhpur's Sardarpura seat is witnessing contesting between sitting MLA and Gehlot who had defeated BJP's Shambhu Singh Khetasar with a margin of 18,478 votes.&nbsp;

Gehlot had the only advantage of caste factor. Apart from that, there is no charm of him. He did not work for his constituency and also often remained absent in the assembly. The issue in the assembly remains the same and unaddressed and I am confident that the BJP will win the seat this time, BJP candidate Shambhu Singh Khetasar said.

On the other hand, both the BJP and the Congress have changed their candidates in 43 constituencies.&nbsp;

Thirty-four out of these 43 seats were won by the BJP in 2013 but the party dropped them this time and gave tickets to others which made some of such sitting MLAs, including ministers Rajkumar Rinwa (Ratangarh), Hem Singh Bhandana (Thanagaji) rebel.

As many as 2,294 candidates, including 189 women candidates, are contesting on 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan which is going to poll on December 7.&nbsp;

Thirty-three of the total 200 Rajasthan Assembly constituencies are witnessing a fight between the same candidates of the BJP and the Congress who had contested the 2013 state polls.

Thirty-three of the total 200 Rajasthan Assembly constituencies are witnessing a fight between the same candidates of the BJP and the Congress who had contested the 2013 state polls. Both the parties have changed their candidates on 43 seats this time. On the remaining 124 seats, the two major parties have decided to field new candidates. Of the 33 seats, 29 are sitting BJP MLAs and four are Congress MLAs that included former chief minister Ashok Gehlot. Karanpur seat is witnessing a fight between Mines minister Surendra Pal Singh and former Congress minister Gurmeet Singh, who had lost 2013 election to Surendra Pal Singh with a margin of 3,853 votes, while Hanumagarh seat is being contested by Water Resources minister Ram Pratap and Congress candidate Vinod Chaudhary. Chaudhary had faced defeat with a big margin of 30,487 votes but the Congress has fielded him again and the seat will witness a direct fight between both the candidates. Former Congress minister Rajendra Pareek is in the fray in Sikar constituency, which was won by BJP's Ratan lal Jaldhari in 2013 with a margin of 13,015 votes. The seat in Shekhwati region is all set to witness a triangular contest with Rashtriya Loktantrik Dal's Wahid Chauhan in the race. Chauhan contested the last polls as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate and stood third by securing 29.10 per cent votes. Former speaker and Congress candidate Deependra Singh Shekhaat is in fight with BJP's Jhabar Singh Kharra at Srimadhopur, while Chomu seat is also witnessing a direct fight between BJP MLA Ram Lal Sharma and Congress candidate Bhagwan Sahahi Saini. The winning margin of Sharma was 44,473 in 2013. Jaipur's hot seat civil lines is again witnessing the same fight like that of 2013 and the candidates are Social Justice and Empowerment minister Arun Chaturvedi and former Congress MLA Prapta Singh Khachariyawas. A similar situation is in Malviya Nagar where Health minister Kalicharan Saraf is in a close battle with PCC vice-president Archana Sharma. Candidates are same but people will vote for the Congress on December 7 because there is high resentment among people against Saraf who is facing corruption charges and people are inclined towards Congress, Sharma said. People want clean leadership and corruption-free government which is focussed on development and the BJP failed to deliver and therefore the public is against the ruling party, she said. Jayal seat of Nagaur district is also having repeat candidates and both are women named Manju. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has retained sitting MLA Manju Baghmar while the Congress has again fielded Manju Devi on the seat reserved for SC candidates. Jodhpur's Sardarpura seat is witnessing contesting between sitting MLA and Gehlot who had defeated BJP's Shambhu Singh Khetasar with a margin of 18,478 votes. Gehlot had the only advantage of caste factor. Apart from that, there is no charm of him. He did not work for his constituency and also often remained absent in the assembly. The issue in the assembly remains the same and unaddressed and I am confident that the BJP will win the seat this time, BJP candidate Shambhu Singh Khetasar said. On the other hand, both the BJP and the Congress have changed their candidates in 43 constituencies. Thirty-four out of these 43 seats were won by the BJP in 2013 but the party dropped them this time and gave tickets to others which made some of such sitting MLAs, including ministers Rajkumar Rinwa (Ratangarh), Hem Singh Bhandana (Thanagaji) rebel. As many as 2,294 candidates, including 189 women candidates, are contesting on 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan which is going to poll on December 7.

Rajasthan polls: 33 of 200 constituencies witnessing fight between same BJP, Cong candidates

There has been much talk of the Congress's Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot contesting the elections in Rajasthan — both of them are chief ministerial candidates. WION spoke with Avinash Pande, the Congress' general secretary in charge of Rajasthan, and asked him whether the fielding of both Pilot and Gehlot was sending confusing signals.&nbsp;

Pande&nbsp;said no. That there was a demand from the party's workers that both leaders be fielded, and that the fielding of senior leaders helps mobilise party cadre. Here is the full text of their conversation:&nbsp;

 
Kartikeya Sharma: Why did Congress field both Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan?

Avinash Pande: Both of them are tall leaders. There was demand from the workers as well. We also wanted senior leaders to contest assembly elections. It helps party to mobilise the cadre.

KS: Doesn’t it send contradictory signals in the context of the chief ministerial candidate? 
AP: I do not agree. CM is decided by the MLAs after the elections in consultation with the high command. The decision to field them was not taken keeping the issue of CM in mind. The decision was taken because there was demand from the workers. It is for this reason senior leaders in Rajasthan were asked to contest assembly elections.

KS: What are the principle issues in Rajasthan? 
AP: Rajasthan is suffering from rural distress. There are issues related to MSP and electricity as well. The state is also suffering from unemployment. Previous government could not deliver on its promises. Demonetisation further impacted the job market in the state. Even small business suffered in Rajasthan. Another big issue in Rajasthan is that of education. Today, 23,000 schools are non-functional and thousands of teachers are unemployed. Government is also trying to run government schools through PPT model and wants to hand over command of them to private players which is not correct. It has adversely impacted the educational infrastructure in the state. Our government was in the state till 2013 and we especially focused on health care in the rural areas which has now been discontinued. The new policies which came into effect added to the strain on common man’s pocket. It did not benefit the poor. It only helped few insurance companies and doctors.

KS: When you took over the reign of the state Congress, what were the challenges you encountered? 
AP: First thing I did was to focus on the organisation at the booth level. We started a number of programs to strengthen workers at the booth level, then we worked on the membership drive in the state. Mera Booth Mera Gaurav was our flagship program which was organised all across the state where we educated and trained our booth level workers. We involved leadership from across the state. The face of the young is Sachin, while Ashok Gehlot has vast experience and we were successful in harnessing them on the ground. It helped energise the workers.

KS: There are a lot of positive reports from Rajasthan unlike other states where the Congress is fighting. Why is the Rajasthan story different from other states? 
AP: It has happened because workers and leaders are fighting elections together. It is for this reason we are doing well in the state. People also realised that they made a mistake in voting for BJP in 2013 and 2014 elections.

&nbsp; 
KS: Are demonetisation and GST issues in the current election? 
AP: Absolutely. Demonetisaion increased unemployment. Governance is an issue in the state. No one feels secure in the state. Even law and order is an issue in the state. Mineral resources and forests resources have been pilfered in the state. On top of it, corruption is an issue in the state. Those who were asked by the government to sidestep the issue of corruption ended up getting tickets from the party to contest and became faces of the BJP in the current assembly elections.&nbsp;

There has been much talk of the Congress's Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot contesting the elections in Rajasthan — both of them are chief ministerial candidates. WION spoke with Avinash Pande, the Congress' general secretary in charge of Rajasthan, and asked him whether the fielding of both Pilot and Gehlot was sending confusing signals.

There has been much talk of the Congress's Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot contesting the elections in Rajasthan — both of them are chief ministerial candidates. WION spoke with Avinash Pande, the Congress' general secretary in charge of Rajasthan, and asked him whether the fielding of both Pilot and Gehlot was sending confusing signals. Pande said no. That there was a demand from the party's workers that both leaders be fielded, and that the fielding of senior leaders helps mobilise party cadre. Here is the full text of their conversation: Kartikeya Sharma: Why did Congress field both Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan? Avinash Pande: Both of them are tall leaders. There was demand from the workers as well. We also wanted senior leaders to contest assembly elections. It helps party to mobilise the cadre. KS: Doesn’t it send contradictory signals in the context of the chief ministerial candidate? AP: I do not agree. CM is decided by the MLAs after the elections in consultation with the high command. The decision to field them was not taken keeping the issue of CM in mind. The decision was taken because there was demand from the workers. It is for this reason senior leaders in Rajasthan were asked to contest assembly elections. KS: What are the principle issues in Rajasthan? AP: Rajasthan is suffering from rural distress. There are issues related to MSP and electricity as well. The state is also suffering from unemployment. Previous government could not deliver on its promises. Demonetisation further impacted the job market in the state. Even small business suffered in Rajasthan. Another big issue in Rajasthan is that of education. Today, 23,000 schools are non-functional and thousands of teachers are unemployed. Government is also trying to run government schools through PPT model and wants to hand over command of them to private players which is not correct. It has adversely impacted the educational infrastructure in the state. Our government was in the state till 2013 and we especially focused on health care in the rural areas which has now been discontinued. The new policies which came into effect added to the strain on common man’s pocket. It did not benefit the poor. It only helped few insurance companies and doctors. KS: When you took over the reign of the state Congress, what were the challenges you encountered? AP: First thing I did was to focus on the organisation at the booth level. We started a number of programs to strengthen workers at the booth level, then we worked on the membership drive in the state. Mera Booth Mera Gaurav was our flagship program which was organised all across the state where we educated and trained our booth level workers. We involved leadership from across the state. The face of the young is Sachin, while Ashok Gehlot has vast experience and we were successful in harnessing them on the ground. It helped energise the workers. KS: There are a lot of positive reports from Rajasthan unlike other states where the Congress is fighting. Why is the Rajasthan story different from other states? AP: It has happened because workers and leaders are fighting elections together. It is for this reason we are doing well in the state. People also realised that they made a mistake in voting for BJP in 2013 and 2014 elections. KS: Are demonetisation and GST issues in the current election? AP: Absolutely. Demonetisaion increased unemployment. Governance is an issue in the state. No one feels secure in the state. Even law and order is an issue in the state. Mineral resources and forests resources have been pilfered in the state. On top of it, corruption is an issue in the state. Those who were asked by the government to sidestep the issue of corruption ended up getting tickets from the party to contest and became faces of the BJP in the current assembly elections.

'Congress cadre wanted both Pilot, Gehlot to contest Rajasthan elections'

Congress stalwart from Rajasthan and former state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said Sunday he did not hold any position in priority and will abide by the decision the party high command takes on the issue of CM post.

Not ruling himself out of the race for the top post in the state should Congress win, Gehlot said he would be open to any role Congress president Rahul Gandhi assigns him in the interest of the party.

"I am ready for whatever role Congress president gives me. I am against any kind of lobbying for any position. I have never lobbied even when I faced dissidence as CM. If they (the high command) send me to Rajasthan in party interest, it will be their decision," the powerful AICC general secretary said.

He said he is "more than satisfied" with his long political career as a five-time Lok Sabha MP, three-time Union minister and ten-year Rajasthan chief minister.

"No post is a priority for me. I am more than satisfied with my political innings and the question before me now is how to bring the party in power in Rajasthan first and then in the country under the leadership of Congress president Rahul Gandhi. I will be ready for any role I am assigned," he said when asked if he is in the race for chief ministership should Congress come to power.

Asked whether the fact that all top state leaders contesting elections in Rajasthan will heat up the power race in the party after polls, Gehlot said the "issue of CM will be amicably resolved by the party high command which will take a decision based on party interest, public and MLAs' sentiments."

"There will be no problem. The high command's decision will be acceptable to all... Whatever they decide will be acceptable to all," he said, accusing the BJP of raising the CM issue for political reasons.

On whether there will be a new CM face other than him or Pilot, Gehlot said it will be the party high command's decision.

The two-term ex-CM of Rajasthan also said the decision on who the next CM will be will not be hampered by the presence of the entire top state brass in elections.

Asked why all state leaders were contesting in Rajasthan, unlike in Madhya Pradesh, he said it is a decision which the Congress president has taken, and he welcomed it.

"The politics in Rajasthan is different and the Congress leadership believes that all the leaders who wish to contest should do so," Gehlot said.

"I want the party's flag to fly high both in Rajasthan and across the country, as the present atmosphere is dangerous for the country and people want the Congress to return to power both in the state and at the Centre."

The AICC general secretary said the party has a tradition of not declaring its CM candidate in advance and that tradition will be respected.

He alleged that it was a BJP conspiracy to raise such an issue to create divisions within the Congress and the people understand this.

"The BJP does not have any right to ask who the Congress CM face is, as they themselves did not have a state party chief for 75 days," Gehlot said.

On giving tickets to parachute candidates, he said former BJP leader Manvendra Singh has been fielded against CM Vasundhara Raje based on a political strategy and is an exception.

The Congress leader, who served thrice as Union minister under Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Narasimha Rao, is pitted with PCC chief Sachin Pilot for the post of chief minister and both are contesting the state election.

While Gehlot is a sitting MLA from Sardarpura, Pilot is contesting the state poll for the first time from Tonk. Pilot has been a former MP from Dausa and then from Ajmer.

 
&nbsp;

Congress stalwart from Rajasthan and former state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said Sunday he did not hold any position in priority and will abide by the decision the party high command takes on the issue of CM post.

Congress stalwart from Rajasthan and former state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said Sunday he did not hold any position in priority and will abide by the decision the party high command takes on the issue of CM post. Not ruling himself out of the race for the top post in the state should Congress win, Gehlot said he would be open to any role Congress president Rahul Gandhi assigns him in the interest of the party. "I am ready for whatever role Congress president gives me. I am against any kind of lobbying for any position. I have never lobbied even when I faced dissidence as CM. If they (the high command) send me to Rajasthan in party interest, it will be their decision," the powerful AICC general secretary said. He said he is "more than satisfied" with his long political career as a five-time Lok Sabha MP, three-time Union minister and ten-year Rajasthan chief minister. "No post is a priority for me. I am more than satisfied with my political innings and the question before me now is how to bring the party in power in Rajasthan first and then in the country under the leadership of Congress president Rahul Gandhi. I will be ready for any role I am assigned," he said when asked if he is in the race for chief ministership should Congress come to power. Asked whether the fact that all top state leaders contesting elections in Rajasthan will heat up the power race in the party after polls, Gehlot said the "issue of CM will be amicably resolved by the party high command which will take a decision based on party interest, public and MLAs' sentiments." "There will be no problem. The high command's decision will be acceptable to all... Whatever they decide will be acceptable to all," he said, accusing the BJP of raising the CM issue for political reasons. On whether there will be a new CM face other than him or Pilot, Gehlot said it will be the party high command's decision. The two-term ex-CM of Rajasthan also said the decision on who the next CM will be will not be hampered by the presence of the entire top state brass in elections. Asked why all state leaders were contesting in Rajasthan, unlike in Madhya Pradesh, he said it is a decision which the Congress president has taken, and he welcomed it. "The politics in Rajasthan is different and the Congress leadership believes that all the leaders who wish to contest should do so," Gehlot said. "I want the party's flag to fly high both in Rajasthan and across the country, as the present atmosphere is dangerous for the country and people want the Congress to return to power both in the state and at the Centre." The AICC general secretary said the party has a tradition of not declaring its CM candidate in advance and that tradition will be respected. He alleged that it was a BJP conspiracy to raise such an issue to create divisions within the Congress and the people understand this. "The BJP does not have any right to ask who the Congress CM face is, as they themselves did not have a state party chief for 75 days," Gehlot said. On giving tickets to parachute candidates, he said former BJP leader Manvendra Singh has been fielded against CM Vasundhara Raje based on a political strategy and is an exception. The Congress leader, who served thrice as Union minister under Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Narasimha Rao, is pitted with PCC chief Sachin Pilot for the post of chief minister and both are contesting the state election. While Gehlot is a sitting MLA from Sardarpura, Pilot is contesting the state poll for the first time from Tonk. Pilot has been a former MP from Dausa and then from Ajmer.

Madhya Pradesh polls: Will go by Rahul Gandhi's decision on CM, says Ashok Gehlot 

Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot on Wednesday declared that they both will contest the December 7 assembly election, firing up the race for the chief minister's post in the state where the party is seeking to wrest power from the BJP.

Gehlot and Pilot, however, dismissed suggestions that there was any infighting among the state leaders and asserted that they will unitedly take on the BJP.

The two leaders ended the speculation over whether they will contest the polls at a joint press conference here at the Congress headquarters, where the party announced the joining of BJP MP Harish Chandra Meena from Dausa in Rajasthan.

"We are all united in Rajasthan and the BJP is conspiring to spread false propaganda that the Congress is divided. I will contest the upcoming assembly election and Sachin Pilot and other senior leaders will also contest," Gehlot told reporters.

He was asked about the delay by the Congress in announcing candidates and reports that claimed that infighting among the top state leaders over the distribution of tickets was responsible for it. Filing of nomination papers in Rajasthan started on Monday and will continue till November 19.

Pilot also said that on party chief Rahul Gandhi's directions and Gehlot's request, he will contest the Assembly elections.

Pilot had last contested the Lok Sabha election from Ajmer in 2014, which he lost. He, however, did not contest the bye-election earlier this year.

Sources said the leadership race in Rajasthan will now intensify with both main contenders throwing their hat in the ring.

"There is no division in the party in the state and all the leaders are united in the bid to defeat the BJP with a thumping majority," Pilot said.

On the issue of the chief ministerial candidate, Gehlot said since independence the Congress has never declared its chief ministerial face in Rajasthan and the party is happy to carry on this tradition.

Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot on Wednesday declared that they both will contest the December 7 assembly election, firing up the race for the chief minister's post in the state where the party is seeking to wrest power from the BJP.

Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot on Wednesday declared that they both will contest the December 7 assembly election, firing up the race for the chief minister's post in the state where the party is seeking to wrest power from the BJP. Gehlot and Pilot, however, dismissed suggestions that there was any infighting among the state leaders and asserted that they will unitedly take on the BJP. The two leaders ended the speculation over whether they will contest the polls at a joint press conference here at the Congress headquarters, where the party announced the joining of BJP MP Harish Chandra Meena from Dausa in Rajasthan. "We are all united in Rajasthan and the BJP is conspiring to spread false propaganda that the Congress is divided. I will contest the upcoming assembly election and Sachin Pilot and other senior leaders will also contest," Gehlot told reporters. He was asked about the delay by the Congress in announcing candidates and reports that claimed that infighting among the top state leaders over the distribution of tickets was responsible for it. Filing of nomination papers in Rajasthan started on Monday and will continue till November 19. Pilot also said that on party chief Rahul Gandhi's directions and Gehlot's request, he will contest the Assembly elections. Pilot had last contested the Lok Sabha election from Ajmer in 2014, which he lost. He, however, did not contest the bye-election earlier this year. Sources said the leadership race in Rajasthan will now intensify with both main contenders throwing their hat in the ring. "There is no division in the party in the state and all the leaders are united in the bid to defeat the BJP with a thumping majority," Pilot said. On the issue of the chief ministerial candidate, Gehlot said since independence the Congress has never declared its chief ministerial face in Rajasthan and the party is happy to carry on this tradition.

Gehlot, Pilot to contest Rajasthan assembly polls

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, considered to be in the chief ministerial race in Rajasthan, today indicated it will be too early to speculate on who will be the CM if the party wins in December 7 Assembly polls.

Citing popular TV serial 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (KBC), Gehlot quipped, "Does anyone know before-hand who will become 'kaun banega crorepati'."

He was asked by reporters at the AICC media briefing as to who will be the chief minister of Rajasthan if the Congress wins the December 7 Assembly polls.

KBC is a popular TV serial hosted by noted actor Amitabh Bachchan.

Gehlot's response drew peals of laughter from those present, including Rajasthan PCC chief Sachin Pilot, at the press conference to announce former BJP MLA Manvendra Singh's joining the Congress.

A former chief minister of Rajasthan, Gehlot is now the AICC general secretary and is in-charge of the organisation. He is locked in the race for chief ministership with Pilot.

The Congress has not yet declared a chief ministerial candidate for the state, where it is gearing up to dethrone the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government.

Rajasthan has traditionally not re-elected any party to power.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, considered to be in the chief ministerial race in Rajasthan, today indicated it will be too early to speculate on who will be the CM if the party wins in December 7 Assembly polls.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, considered to be in the chief ministerial race in Rajasthan, today indicated it will be too early to speculate on who will be the CM if the party wins in December 7 Assembly polls. Citing popular TV serial 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (KBC), Gehlot quipped, "Does anyone know before-hand who will become 'kaun banega crorepati'." He was asked by reporters at the AICC media briefing as to who will be the chief minister of Rajasthan if the Congress wins the December 7 Assembly polls. KBC is a popular TV serial hosted by noted actor Amitabh Bachchan. Gehlot's response drew peals of laughter from those present, including Rajasthan PCC chief Sachin Pilot, at the press conference to announce former BJP MLA Manvendra Singh's joining the Congress. A former chief minister of Rajasthan, Gehlot is now the AICC general secretary and is in-charge of the organisation. He is locked in the race for chief ministership with Pilot. The Congress has not yet declared a chief ministerial candidate for the state, where it is gearing up to dethrone the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government. Rajasthan has traditionally not re-elected any party to power.

Ashok Gehlot evades query on who will be CM if Congress wins in Rajasthan

Pooh-poohing BJP chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa’s claim that his party will win 150 seats and form the government in the state on May 17, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called him ''mentally disturbed''.&nbsp;

''Yeddyurappa is mentally disturbed. Congress will get more than 120 seats. I am very confident.'' said the incumbent chief minister of the Congress party.&nbsp;

He also accused JD (S) of distributing money in Chamundeshwari constituency.&nbsp;

JD (S) has distributed a lot of money at Chamundeshwari constituency, the CM said and added that their candidate in the constituency claims that he is a society secretary, from where did he get so much money? he asked.

Accusing the&nbsp;BJP of is openly supporting JD (S), the CM said that they have&nbsp;fielded a dummy candidate in Chamundeshwari constituency. &nbsp;

Earlier on Saturday, after casting his vote, BS Yeddyurappa exuded confidence that his party will form the new government in Karnataka on May 17 after thumping victory.

BS Yeddyurappa is the BJP candidate from Shikaripura.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also expressed confidence of victory. Congress will win more than 130 seats and the corrupt and criminal Yeddy-Reddy gang will be rejected by the people of Karnataka.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot questioned the timing of Modi's temple visits in Nepal. Modi's Temple visits in Nepal are aimed at influencing the voters, the Congress leader said.&nbsp;

As there is a model code of conduct in Karnataka, PM Modi planned to pray at temples in Nepal instead, just to influence voters, he said and added that this is not a good trend for democracy. Why did he only choose today as the day? Gehlot asked.&nbsp;

''Over the years, I feel that malpractices have increased. Distribution of sarees. alcohol, dhotis and&nbsp;cookers have come out in open. It is not a good sign in democracy,'' former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde said after casting his vote at a polling booth in Bengaluru.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: As voting in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> continues, CM Siddaramaiah says, 'Yeddyurappa is mentally disturbed. Congress will get more than 120 seats. I am very confident.' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/yE6isfZcYq">pic.twitter.com/yE6isfZcYq</a>
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JDS has distributed a lot of money, their candidate says he is a society secretary, so from where did he get so much money? Also, BJP is openly supporting JDS, they have put up a dummy candidate here: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Chamundeshwari constituency <a href="https://t.co/TzQmd44S70">pic.twitter.com/TzQmd44S70</a>
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&nbsp;

Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said Modi's Temple visits in Nepal are aimed at influencing the voters.

Pooh-poohing BJP chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa’s claim that his party will win 150 seats and form the government in the state on May 17, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called him ''mentally disturbed''. ''Yeddyurappa is mentally disturbed. Congress will get more than 120 seats. I am very confident.'' said the incumbent chief minister of the Congress party. He also accused JD (S) of distributing money in Chamundeshwari constituency. JD (S) has distributed a lot of money at Chamundeshwari constituency, the CM said and added that their candidate in the constituency claims that he is a society secretary, from where did he get so much money? he asked. Accusing the BJP of is openly supporting JD (S), the CM said that they have fielded a dummy candidate in Chamundeshwari constituency. Earlier on Saturday, after casting his vote, BS Yeddyurappa exuded confidence that his party will form the new government in Karnataka on May 17 after thumping victory. BS Yeddyurappa is the BJP candidate from Shikaripura. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also expressed confidence of victory. Congress will win more than 130 seats and the corrupt and criminal Yeddy-Reddy gang will be rejected by the people of Karnataka. Meanwhile, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot questioned the timing of Modi's temple visits in Nepal. Modi's Temple visits in Nepal are aimed at influencing the voters, the Congress leader said. As there is a model code of conduct in Karnataka, PM Modi planned to pray at temples in Nepal instead, just to influence voters, he said and added that this is not a good trend for democracy. Why did he only choose today as the day? Gehlot asked. ''Over the years, I feel that malpractices have increased. Distribution of sarees. alcohol, dhotis and cookers have come out in open. It is not a good sign in democracy,'' former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde said after casting his vote at a polling booth in Bengaluru. #WATCH: As voting in #Karnataka continues, CM Siddaramaiah says, 'Yeddyurappa is mentally disturbed. Congress will get more than 120 seats. I am very confident.' #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/yE6isfZcYq — ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2018 × JDS has distributed a lot of money, their candidate says he is a society secretary, so from where did he get so much money? Also, BJP is openly supporting JDS, they have put up a dummy candidate here: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Chamundeshwari constituency pic.twitter.com/TzQmd44S70 — ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2018 ×

'Yeddyurappa is mentally disturbed': Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Recently appointed General Secretary in-charge of Organisation by Rahul Gandhi, Ashok Gehlot has said he is not removed from the people of Rajasthan.&nbsp;

Speaking to the press today, Gehlot said he has got a&nbsp;lot of love and respect from Rajasthan and that he will continue to work for the state and its people.

"Sometimes I'm dispatched to Rajya Sabha and sometimes people say that I have been sent to Delhi. Rajasthan is not far away from Delhi. I want to say that misinformation about this should not be spread. Till my last breath, I will work for the people of Rajasthan,"&nbsp;Gehlot said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He added that juniors must work in tandem with seniors and that they must aim to outshine the work done by the party's seniors.

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As of now, Rahul Gandhi has not yet declared Sachin Pilot as the Congress' chief ministerial candidate for Rajasthan but with Gehlot moving to Delhi after Gujarat&nbsp;(he was General Secretary in charge of the state), the signal being sent is that road has been cleared for Pilot who is the organisational head of the Congress in the state.&nbsp;

Gehlot replaced longstanding Congress General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi and has been tasked with reviving the organisation. Gehlot has suggested some changes which seem to have been approved by the Congress leadership.&nbsp;

It has been decided that booth-level committees would be formed at the earliest and a data bank of the committees be created so that the central leadership can access the backgrounds of people working at the ground level.&nbsp;

It has also been decided that special attention would be given to backward castes, women, and minorities when it comes to representation within the organisation. Special attention would also be paid to monitoring the programmes of the Congress Party and they will&nbsp;be reviewed by dedicated teams. Gehlot has also suggested that training programmes should be vigorously implemented and their schedule be properly maintained.&nbsp;

It has also been decided that 40 per cent of "existing faces" will be kept in the organisation, while "new faces"&nbsp;will be introduced in 60 per cent of posts. There were be a special focus on accountability, so that those who have worked for the party are rewarded and those who have not are removed from important positions.&nbsp;

'Rajasthan is not far away from Delhi. I want to say that misinformation about this should not be spread. Till my last breath, I will work for the people of Rajasthan,' Gehlot said

Recently appointed General Secretary in-charge of Organisation by Rahul Gandhi, Ashok Gehlot has said he is not removed from the people of Rajasthan. Speaking to the press today, Gehlot said he has got a lot of love and respect from Rajasthan and that he will continue to work for the state and its people. "Sometimes I'm dispatched to Rajya Sabha and sometimes people say that I have been sent to Delhi. Rajasthan is not far away from Delhi. I want to say that misinformation about this should not be spread. Till my last breath, I will work for the people of Rajasthan," Gehlot said. He added that juniors must work in tandem with seniors and that they must aim to outshine the work done by the party's seniors. × As of now, Rahul Gandhi has not yet declared Sachin Pilot as the Congress' chief ministerial candidate for Rajasthan but with Gehlot moving to Delhi after Gujarat (he was General Secretary in charge of the state), the signal being sent is that road has been cleared for Pilot who is the organisational head of the Congress in the state. Gehlot replaced longstanding Congress General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi and has been tasked with reviving the organisation. Gehlot has suggested some changes which seem to have been approved by the Congress leadership. It has been decided that booth-level committees would be formed at the earliest and a data bank of the committees be created so that the central leadership can access the backgrounds of people working at the ground level. It has also been decided that special attention would be given to backward castes, women, and minorities when it comes to representation within the organisation. Special attention would also be paid to monitoring the programmes of the Congress Party and they will be reviewed by dedicated teams. Gehlot has also suggested that training programmes should be vigorously implemented and their schedule be properly maintained. It has also been decided that 40 per cent of "existing faces" will be kept in the organisation, while "new faces" will be introduced in 60 per cent of posts. There were be a special focus on accountability, so that those who have worked for the party are rewarded and those who have not are removed from important positions.

I'm never far from Rajasthan: Gehlot asserts his claim to chief ministership

The Congress on Monday released its manifesto for the Gujarat Assembly polls. The election will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14.

Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and Bharatsinh Solanki released the party&#39;s manifesto in Ahmedabad.

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Congress party releases its election manifesto ahead of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a>, in Ahmedabad <a href="https://t.co/0Kxj8XIqbH">pic.twitter.com/0Kxj8XIqbH</a>
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Key highlights of the manifesto:

A special Bill to be brought in the Assembly to provide quotas to those who are not presently entitled to any quota. The quota given to OBC, ST and SC will not be touched. Patidars to get quota under a special category.

Petrol and diesel pieces to be slashed by Rs 10 per litre in Gujarat

Farm debt to be waived off. Farmers to get 16 hours electricity. All farmers to be given electricity connection.

Every unemployed youth to get Rs 4000 per month as unemployment allowance till he/she gets the job

Fixed pay system, contractual system in government and semi-government jobs to be abolished

Every woman who has no house will be provided subsidised homes

Special Investigation Teams (SIT) to be set up to probe BJP government&rsquo;s corruption

Media club will be set up and mediapersons to be provided subsidised houses. A corpus to be created to help journalists and their family members in case of critical illness

Petrol and diesel pieces to be slashed by Rs 10 per litre in Gujarat

The Congress on Monday released its manifesto for the Gujarat Assembly polls. The election will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14. Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and Bharatsinh Solanki released the party's manifesto in Ahmedabad. Congress party releases its election manifesto ahead of #GujaratElection2017, in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/0Kxj8XIqbH — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × Key highlights of the manifesto: A special Bill to be brought in the Assembly to provide quotas to those who are not presently entitled to any quota. The quota given to OBC, ST and SC will not be touched. Patidars to get quota under a special category. Petrol and diesel pieces to be slashed by Rs 10 per litre in Gujarat Farm debt to be waived off. Farmers to get 16 hours electricity. All farmers to be given electricity connection. Every unemployed youth to get Rs 4000 per month as unemployment allowance till he/she gets the job Fixed pay system, contractual system in government and semi-government jobs to be abolished Every woman who has no house will be provided subsidised homes Special Investigation Teams (SIT) to be set up to probe BJP government’s corruption Media club will be set up and mediapersons to be provided subsidised houses. A corpus to be created to help journalists and their family members in case of critical illness

Congress'Gujarat manifesto promises quota for Patidars

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