'I Want To Leave CM's Chair, But This Chair Doesn't Want To Leave Me': Ashok Gehlot Ahead Of Rajasthan Polls

Speaking in Delhi, Gehlot recalled how, despite not being the initial candidate, Sonia Gandhi chose him for the position shortly after she took office.

File Photo Of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot recently shared his thoughts on his tenure as Chief Minister, praising Sonia Gandhi for her unexpected ascension to the position. Speaking in Delhi, Gehlot recalled how, despite not being the initial candidate, Sonia Gandhi chose him for the position shortly after she took office. Despite expressing his desire to step down, Gehlot noted with humour that the Chief Minister's role appeared to have no intention of leaving him, emphasising the unique and enduring connection he has with the position.

''After Sonia Gandhi ji became (Congress) president, the first decision she took was to make me the chief minister. I was not the CM candidate but she selected me as the CM...I want to leave the CM post but this post is not leaving me and it won't leave me also," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

#WATCH | "After Sonia Gandhi ji became (Congress) president, the first decision she took was to make me the chief minister. I was not the CM candidate but she selected me as the CM...I want to leave the CM post but this post is not leaving me and it won't leave me also," says… pic.twitter.com/LOBvzYSnPL

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2023

Earlier in the day, Gehlot stated that he wishes to leave the state's top post, but that the post will not and probably will not leave him, according to news agency PTI. 

He also stated that while the party's high command had chosen him to lead the state three times, any decision made by the leadership going forward would be acceptable to all.

Gehlot, whose government faced a rebellion led by his foe Sachin Pilot in 2020, said he has adopted a "forgive and forget" policy and moved on.

Taking strong objection to the raids by the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department on opposition leaders, he sought the prime minister's intervention to stop them immediately, according to the report. 

He also requested that the Election Commission step in.

When asked if there were any disagreements within the party about the distribution of party tickets, he stated that there are none and that all decisions are made unanimously.

Rajasthan elections will be held on November 25, with results expected on December 3.