Rajasthan: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is not ready to expand the cabinet and make political appointments. The Congress high command has also become helpless in front of Gehlot for cabinet expansion and for making political appointments in the government. Gehlot does not currently want to expand the cabinet and make political appointments despite the constant pressure from Congress National General Secretary Ajay Maken. Maken had spoken of completing the job of political appointments in the government by 31 January, two months earlier. In this regard, he also told CM Gehlot’s intention of high command. The high command conveyed the message to Gehlot to make two to three MLAs of the returning Sachin Pilot camp after the rebellion, but he refused to do so for now.
Gehlot argued that the budget session of the assembly is starting from February 10 and then by-elections are to be held in four assembly seats. In such a situation, there may be losses due to expansion of the cabinet and making political appointments. Seeing not fulfilling the intention of Gehlot’s high command, Maken came to Jaipur on Tuesday night and talked to the CM alone for about three hours. On Wednesday, the two spoke again, but Gehlot remained adamant. According to sources, during this meeting, Maken also publicly reiterated Gehlot’s own statement made by him on January 31 and the assurance given to the pilot to complete the work of political appointments but did not accept the CM. Seeing Gehlot not agreeing, Maken went to meet the pilot.
Budget session will run till March 15
According to sources, during this time, the pilot told Maken that he could no longer restrain for a long time. The high command promised him to give power to his supporters in two to three months. Pilot also told Maken that now he cannot ask MLAs and leaders of his camp to be restrained for a long time. The pilot also reminds Maken of the promise he made, but Maken appears completely helpless during this time. On the other hand, given the intention of CM, Maken spoke to the media and said that there could not be cabinet expansion or big political appointments in the budget session of the assembly. The budget session will run till 15 March. Although appointments will be made at the division, district and block levels. He said that our endeavor is to get these appointments between February 15 and 20.CM camp showed strength.
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The CM camp showed their strength at breakfast at the house of Gehlot’s confidant Dharmendra Rathore on Wednesday morning. During this time, in front of Maken, Gehlot’s trusted ministers, MLAs and party leaders clearly said that in the present situation, the CM should be left free to decide. Maken then held a meeting with the ministers in charge for the by-election for the four assembly seats at the Chief Minister’s residence. There was a discussion on the appointments to be held at the district level in the meeting of officials at the state Congress headquarters. He instructed the officials to go to the districts after January 9 and seek feedback. He tasked the ministers and office-bearers about the by-election.
