'If Rahul Gandhi Does Not Become Congress Chief, Many People Will...': Ashok Gehlot

Ashok Gehlot said the Congress was 'unanimously' in favour of Rahul Gandhi, who has shown reluctance on returning as party president, for the post.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday said it would be a disappointment for the Congressmen in the country if Rahul Gandhi does not become the party president. Gehlot said the Congress was "unanimously" in favour of Rahul Gandhi, who has shown reluctance on returning as party president, for the post, PTI reported.

The party has fixed the schedule of electing a new chief by September 20. Sonia Gandhi has ruled out returning as party chief due to health issues.

Speaking to reporters in Jaipur, Gehlot said, "If Rahul Gandhi does not become the party president, it will be a disappointment for the Congressmen in the country. Many people will sit at home and we will suffer. He (Rahul Gandhi) should accept this post by himself, understanding the sentiments of the common Congress people in the country." 

The remarks come as Rahul Gandhi on Monday chaired the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra Conclave' in Delhi that was attended by over 150 civil society organisations and professionals. He is set to address a massive rally in September and will kick start the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' from Kanyakumari -- being billed by the party as the longest yatra to be conducted in the country over the last century.

"The unanimous opinion is in support of his becoming the president. So, I think he should accept it. It is not about Gandhi or non-Gandhi family. It is the work of the organisation and no one is becoming a prime minister," PTI quoted Gehlot as saying.

The veteran Congress leader said the party had kept democracy alive in the country in the last 75 years, due to which today Narendra Modi was the Prime Minister of the country and Kejriwal was the Chief Minister of Delhi.

"In the last 32 years, no person from Gandhi family became the prime minister, Union minister or chief minister. Then why Modi ji is afraid of this family. Why does Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have to say that nothing happened in 75 years in the country. Why is everyone attacking the Congress?" 

"Because the DNA of the Congress party and the country is the same before Independence and after Independence. Congress is the party that takes all religions and classes along," the Rajasthan CM said.

(With inputs from PTI)