Ashok Gehlot claims a conspiracy kept him out of the Congress president’s chair

Rajasthan’s chief minister, Ashok Gehlot, did not mince words when he spoke about being sidelined from the Congress presidency. In a candid interview, the veteran leader hinted that a well‑coordinated plot was cooked up by certain elements inside the party to keep him away from the top slot.

“I was ready to take on the responsibility, but there were forces that didn’t want that,” Gehlot told reporters, pausing briefly before adding that the ‘conspiracy’ was not just a rumor but something he had felt for months.

He recounted how, after the Congress’s internal elections were announced, his name was deliberately omitted from the list of potential candidates. According to him, senior leaders who were supposed to consult with the grassroots were instead nudged toward other names, a move he described as “engineered” and “strategic.”

While the party’s central leadership has not officially commented on Gehlot’s accusations, insiders say that factional rivalries have intensified after the last electoral debacle. Some analysts point to the growing influence of younger leaders who are eager to reshape the party’s image, while others believe longstanding power brokers are wary of Gehlot’s clout, especially after his successful handling of the Rajasthan floods and the recent push for agricultural reforms.

Gehlot, who has been a key figure in the Congress for over three decades, said he respects the democratic process but urged the party to be transparent about its decision‑making. “If there is a conspiracy, it weakens our credibility. The people deserve honesty,” he said, his tone shifting from frustration to a plea for unity.

Political commentators note that these allegations could further deepen the fissures within the Congress, a party already grappling with dwindling electoral fortunes and leadership vacuum. Whether the claim will spark an internal inquiry or simply fade into the background remains to be seen, but it certainly adds another layer of intrigue to the party’s already turbulent journey.