Rajasthan Cong MLAs authorise Sonia to select CLP leader

Newly-elected Congress MLAs in Rajasthan today passed a unanimous resolution authorising party president Sonia Gandhi to select the leader of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) in the state.

All 21 party MLAs expressed their confidence on Gandhi to pick the CLP leader in Rajasthan, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters here after holding one-on-one meetings with the new MLAs.

Azad said all the MLAs had affirmed that they would support the person who would be nominated by the party high command inside the assembly and outside too.

Asked whether the party had any assessment on its debacle in the assembly polls held in December last, he said it would be discussed at the state unit's meeting in near future.

Asked about the possibility of nominating a young leader to lead the party MLAs after the 36-year-old Sachin Pilot was made state Congress chief recently, Azad said, "The party was being run by both experienced and young talents."

"We have to encourage youths in the party, besides giving all regards to experienced Congressmen. Party needs both 'naujawan aur tuzarbekar'," Azad said.

Speaking on the leadership issue, AICC member and in-charge of party affairs in the state Gurudas Kamat said, "We have important challenges ahead of us. We should look forward to next 10 to 15 years to develop a batch of leaders across the country... That is why Rahulji is now accepted as the leader virtually by the entire party at national level. Similarly, Pilot has been appointed as state unit chief."

Ashok Gehlot, former Chief Minister, said he had moved the resolution authorising the Congress president to select the CLP leader.

"As the Chief Minister of the previous government I take full responsibility for our defeat in the polls. I decided to work for the party without any post. I will regard every decision or direction of the party high command," Gehlot said.

The election of the CLP Leader was necessitated in view of the upcoming assembly session beginning January 21.