Congress president Rahul Gandhi is set to pick the chief ministers of the three states where the party was victorious in the recently concluded Assembly Elections. In all the three states — Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh — the legislators left it on Rahul Gandhi to decide on the person to hold the top post. In what is being seen as a tough choice between contenders, sources in the Congress said that it won’t be easy for Rahul Gandhi to take a call.
Gandhi, on the other hand, reached out to party workers for their top choice for the post. Using an internal messaging platform for the party workers, Gandhi sent out a pre-recorded audio message seeking their feedback for choosing the chief minister in their respective states, according to sources.
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Despite repeated attempts, the party spokespersons did not comment on the message and its content. The exact time when the message was sent could not be ascertained.
A young-versus-experienced debate has complicated the race, both in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. In the latter, for instance, Independents have stacked their support against Ashok Gehlot, while majority party leaders have backed Sachin Pilot. In Madhya Pradesh, too, former Union minister and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Kamal Nath has a strong support base, while supporters of Congress’ campaign committee chief Jyotiraditya Scindia gathered outside the party headquarters and demanded that he be named the chief minister. In Chhattisgarh, four leaders are in running for the position. The front-runners for the post, according to party insiders, are Leader of Opposition in previous Assembly T S Singh Deo, state party chief Bhupesh Baghel, Congress OBC wing’s chief Tamradhwaj Sahu, and former Union minister Charandas Mahant.
Here are the LIVE updates:
11:55 pm: Kamal Nath thanks Jyotiraditya Scindia for his support. The CM-elect will meet Governor Anandiben Patel tomorrow at 10:30 am and decide the date and timing of oath-taking ceremony as Madhya Pradesh CM.
11:52 pm: After being elected as Madhya Pradesh CM, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath said that he will fulfil all promises made by him, adding that the future of the state is "secure".
Madhya Pradesh CM designate Kamal Nath in Bhopal: I'll make absolute efforts to live up to the expectations of the people of Madhya Pradesh. We will fulfil all the promises mentioned in our manifesto. I'll be meeting the Governor tomorrow at 10:30 am. pic.twitter.com/mJh3AeikiW
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
11:41 pm: Sachin Pilot leaves Rahul Gandhi's house in Delhi. Ashok Gehlot to meet the Congress president shortly.
11:40 pm: Priyanka Chaturvedi, Congress's national spokesperson congratulated Kamal Nath for being elected as Madhya Pradesh chief minister.
Many congratulations â¦@OfficeOfKNathâ© ji, thank you for your support, leadership and guidance during the entire campaign. â¦Wishing you all the very best as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh! pic.twitter.com/RUzGhK55Af
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) December 13, 2018
11:20 pm: Our best wishes to Shri Kamal Nath for being elected CM of Madhya Pradesh. An era of change is upon MP with him at the helm: Congress on Twitter.
Our best wishes to Shri @OfficeOfKNath for being elected CM of Madhya Pradesh. An era of change is upon MP with him at the helm. pic.twitter.com/iHJe43AB9v
— Congress (@INCIndia) December 13, 2018
11:12 pm: Madhya Pradesh CM designate Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia at the party office in Bhopal.
Madhya Pradesh CM designate Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia at the party office in Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/uw4xhdCbGO
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
11:03 pm: Madhya Pradesh Congress MLAs' meeting begins at the party office in Bhopal.
11:00 pm: Jyotiraditya Scindia reaches Congress party office in Bhopal.
10:56 pm: Kamal Nath to be the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. There will not be a Deputy Chief Minister in MP.
Kamal Nath to be the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. There will not be a Deputy Chief Minister in MP. pic.twitter.com/XtdRyc7eXF
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
10:50 pm: Kamal Nath arrives at Congress party office in Bhopal.
Madhya Pradesh: Kamal Nath arrives at Congress party office in Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/12Ntr6OpgZ
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
10:39 pm: Sachin Pilot arrives in Rahul Gandhi's residence, will meet the Congress president for the second time.
10:15 pm: Kamal Nath, Jyotiraditya Scindia reach Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh MLAs' press conference at 10:30 pm.
Madhya Pradesh: Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia arrive in Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/IFU6YY5BzC
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
09:50 pm: Ashok Gehlot to meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi at 10:30 pm in presence of Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot.
08:25 pm: Who will be the next chief minister in Chhattisgarh? Rahul Gandhi meets observer Mallikarjun Kharge and PL Punia.
08:16 pm: Rahul Gandhi tweets picture with Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia. "The two most powerful warriors are patience and time," captioned the picture.
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.
- Leo Tolstoy pic.twitter.com/MiRq2IlrIg
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 13, 2018
08:14 pm: It is not a race, it is not about kursi, we are here to serve the people of Madhya Pradesh. I am leaving for Bhopal and you will get to know the decision today: Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Jyotiraditya Scindia on leaving Rahul Gandhi's residence: It is not a race, it is not about kursi, we are here to serve the people of Madhya Pradesh. I am leaving for Bhopal and you will get to know the decision today pic.twitter.com/6J7rVqXS2t
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
08:13 pm: I am leaving for Bhopal, MLAs meeting will be held and we will announce the CM name after the meet, says Kamal Nath while leacing Congress president Rahul Gandhi's residence.
Kamal Nath, Congress on leaving Rahul Gandhi's residence: I am leaving for Bhopal, MLAs meeting will be held and we will announce the CM name after that
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
07:25 pm: Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Madhya Pradesh postponed to 10 pm tonight.
07:21 pm: Ashok Gehlot is called back from Delhi airport, has been asked to stay in the national capital.
07:06 pm: Gehlot also appealed to party workers to maintain calm. Speaking to media he said, "they have worked very hard, whatever decisions will be taken will be binding on all. Rahul ji is talking to and consulting all leaders".
Ashok Gehlot, Congress: I appeal to workers to maintain calm, they have worked very hard, whatever decisions will be taken will be binding on all. Rahul ji is talking to and consulting all leaders pic.twitter.com/CUvp7wPWDC
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
07:04 pm: Being asked about new CM face in Rajasthan, senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said, "The decision will be taken soon, there is nothing to worry. Just wait, the decision has to be taken on CMs of three states so naturally, it takes time. Party president will take a call".
Ashok Gehlot, Congress: The decision will be taken soon, there is nothing to worry. Just wait, the decision has to be taken on CMs of three states so naturally, it takes time. Party president will take a call pic.twitter.com/Wrhz1lQB96
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
07:03 pm: Sachin Pilot requested the media not to run news based on rumours and only rely on confirmed news. "We will welcome whatever the party leadership decides," he added.
मीडिया के साथियो से आगà¥à¤°à¤¹ है कि कृपया अफवाहों को न पà¥à¤°à¤¦à¤°à¥à¤¶à¤¿à¤¤ करें और केवल पà¥à¤°à¤®à¤¾à¤£à¤¿à¤¤ खबरों को ही चलाà¤à¤‚। इस समय अफवाहों को रोकने में आप हमारे साथी बने। आलाकमान दà¥à¤µà¤¾à¤°à¤¾ दिठगठफैसले का हम सà¥à¤µà¤¾à¤—त करेंगे
— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) December 13, 2018
06:09 pm: I appeal to party workers to maintain peace and decorum. I have full faith in the leadership, we will welcome whatever Rahul Gandhi ji and Sonia Gandhi ji decide. It is our responsibility to uphold the honour of the party, we are dedicated to the party, Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot wrote on Twitter.
सà¤à¥€ कारà¥à¤¯à¤•à¤°à¥à¤¤à¤¾à¤“ं से शांति à¤à¤µà¤‚ अनà¥à¤¶à¤¾à¤¸à¤¨ बनाठरखने का आगà¥à¤°à¤¹ करता हूà¤à¥¤ मà¥à¤à¥‡ पारà¥à¤Ÿà¥€ के शीरà¥à¤· नेतृतà¥à¤µ पर पूरा विशà¥à¤µà¤¾à¤¸ है, माननीय राहà¥à¤² गाà¤à¤§à¥€ जी à¤à¤µà¤‚ शà¥à¤°à¥€à¤®à¤¤à¥€ सोनिया गाà¤à¤§à¥€ जी जो फ़ैसला लेंगे उसका हम सà¥à¤µà¤¾à¤—त करेंगे।हम सà¤à¥€ कांगà¥à¤°à¥‡à¤¸ के समरà¥à¤ªà¤¿à¤¤,पारà¥à¤Ÿà¥€ की गरिमा बनाये रखना हम सà¤à¥€ की ज़िमà¥à¤®à¥‡à¤¦à¤¾à¤°à¥€
— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) December 13, 2018
05:43 pm: Supporters of Sachin Pilot block road in Rajasthan's Karauli.
Supporters of Sachin Pilot block road in Karauli, demanding his chief ministership
📷: ANI
Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/vYVa17UJ4O#RajasthanElections2018 pic.twitter.com/jjsXaY2b1W
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 13, 2018
05:40 pm: Digvijaya Singh reaches to meet Ajay Singh.
05:39 pm: Madhya Pradesh Congress MLAs to meet at 8:30 pm tonight.
05:33 pm: Sachin Pilot supporters block NH-21 near Dausa demanding to make him Rajasthan chief minister.
#SachinPilot supporters block NH-21 near Dausa demanding to make him Rajasthan chief minister
Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/vYVa17UJ4O#RajasthanElections2018 pic.twitter.com/uv97O7wzcq
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 13, 2018
05:20 pm: Speaking to NDTV, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said, "Scindia is young, charismatic. Scindia has a future".
05:04 pm: A poster congratulating Kamal Nath for being named CM is seen outside Congress office in Bhopal.
A poster congratulating Kamal Nath for being named CM is seen outside Congress office in Bhopal #MadhyaPradeshElections2018 pic.twitter.com/rsSketjeFp
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
04:47 pm: Latest visuals from the Congress office in Bhopal.
Madhya Pradesh: Posters and banners seen outside Congress party office in Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/bv6bTcPbVm
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
04:41 pm: Supporters of Jyotiraditya Scindia gather outside Congress party office in Bhopal.
Madhya Pradesh: Supporters of Jyotiraditya Scindia gather outside Congress party office in Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/KYHS5V1seg
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
04:27 pm: Congress leader Ajay Singh said state party chief Kamal Nath is going to be the next chief minister of Madhya Pradesh.
04:19 pm: Sachin Pilot does not want to be the Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, not ready to go down without a fight.
04:08 pm: Sonia Gandhi arrives at the residence of Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
Delhi: Sonia Gandhi arrives at the residence of Congress President Rahul Gandhi. pic.twitter.com/HZ5X9jEvhi
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
02.57 pm: Jyotiraditya Scindia meets Rahul Gandhi.
02.55 pm: Sachin Pilot camps says all not over yet, say reports.
02.50 pm: Congress Legislative Party meeting in Madhya Pradesh at 6 pm.
2.25 pm: Former Union minister and Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Kamal Nath to meet Rahul Gandhi.
2.13 pm: A group of Congress members perform 'havan' in Bhopal for the appointment of Jyotiraditya Scindia as the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister.
A group of Congress members perform 'havan' in Bhopal for the appointment of @JM_Scindia as the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister.
📷: ANI
Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/7YXY4M6ZMM pic.twitter.com/Pusb6A9iiv
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 13, 2018
01.45 pm: Ashok Gehlot likely to be named the chief minister of Rajasthan, according to reports. Announcement expected soon.
01.09 pm: Congress leader Ashok Gehlot leaves from Congress President Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi.
Congress leader Ashok Gehlot leaves from Congress President Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi.
📷: ANI
Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/7YXY4M6ZMM pic.twitter.com/7XjTQfPRIP
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 13, 2018
12.57 pm: Congress leader Sachin Pilot leaves from Congress President Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot leaves from Congress President Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi pic.twitter.com/EQZH4WaLad
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
12.50 pm: Congress leader Ashok Gehlot reaches Congress President Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi.
Congress leader Ashok Gehlot reaches Congress President Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/vERb4mIBRY
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
12.23 pm: Congress leader Sachin Pilot reaches Congress President Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot reaches Congress President Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi pic.twitter.com/AQtEuYvL12
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
12.15 pm: Congress leader Sachin Pilot leaves from his residence in Delhi.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot leaves from his residence in Delhi pic.twitter.com/DdahZSttxG
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
11.56 am: Rajasthan Independent MLA Mahadev Singh Khandela says, "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 Mahadev Singh Khandela: 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 pic.twitter.com/1IdyPl34PX
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
11.55 am: Rajasthan Independent MLA Rajkumar Gaur says, "He (Ashok Gehlot) has served as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan twice. He has experience. The public of Rajasthan & the independent MLAs want him to be appointed as the Chief Minister."
Rajasthan Independent MLA Rajkumar Gaur: He (Ashok Gehlot) has served as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan twice. He has experience. The public of Rajasthan & the independent MLAs want him to be appointed as the Chief Minister pic.twitter.com/Kusl3Sgsdo
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
11.43 am: Sachin Pilot supporters raise slogans in Delhi.
#WATCH: Supporters of Congress leader Sachin Pilot raise slogans outside All India Congress Committee headquarters in Delhi demanding his selection as Rajasthan Chief Minister pic.twitter.com/KSZ6nnMPHc
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
11.23 am: We can't make the conclusion of confidential discussion public. MLAs are given the rights that they can express their individual opinions, nothing will be disclosed for now, says Congress leader TS Singh Deo.
TS Singh Deo, Congress: We can't make the conclusion of confidential discussion public. MLAs are given the rights that they can express their individual opinions, nothing will be disclosed for now. Decision on CM candidate (Chhattisgarh) should be taken by today pic.twitter.com/KEv68KnkrA
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
10.18 am: Congress President Rahul Gandhi: We are taking inputs from different people in the party. We are taking inputs from MLAs, from workers. You will see a Chief Minister soon.
We are taking inputs from different people in the party. We are taking inputs from MLAs, from workers. You will see a Chief Minister soon: ANI quoting Congress president @RahulGandhi
Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/cNc8BnnQO3 pic.twitter.com/zRFzQkq0Wi
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) December 13, 2018
10.20 am: BJP's Madhya Pradesh unit chief Rakesh Singh has offered his resignation from the post taking responsibility for the defeat in Madhya Pradesh. Party chief Amit Shah, however, refused to accept it and instead asked him to work harder, reported ANI.
BJP's Madhya Pradesh unit chief Rakesh Singh has offered his resignation from the post taking responsibility for the defeat in #MadhyaPradeshAssemblyElections. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/50RwShfgaF
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2018
10.30 am: Sources say, Kamal Nath to be Madhya Pradesh chief minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia to get deputy post.
10.29 am: According to sources, Bhupesh Baghel to be named Chhattisgarh chief minister.
10.28 am: Ashok Gehlot leading the race in Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot giving a tough fight, say sources.
10.16 am: Madhya Pradesh chief minister contenders Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia have reached Delhi to meet Rahul Gandhi.
10.15 am: Rahul Gandhi to meet chief minister hopefuls.
10.12 am: Decision will be made today, says Ashok Gehlot.
09.40 am: A meeting of Congress MLAs to be held at 4 pm in Bhopal today.
09.20 am: Rahul Gandhi met party’s observers — KC Venugopal for Rajasthan and AK Antony for Madhya Pradesh early morning along with the state unit in-charges.
09.00 am: Contenders for the chief minister's post in Rajasthan --- Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot --- have left for Delhi to meet the Congress chief. Sources in both camps claimed support of the majority of the MLAs.