Ashok Gehlot Refutes Rumours of Rejecting Congress Presidency

In a candid interview that quickly made the rounds on social media, Rajasthan’s chief minister Ashok Gehlot put an end to a story that has been buzzing around political corridors for weeks – the claim that he turned down the Congress party’s top job.

“If Sonia Gandhi really wanted me as the party chief, I would have taken it,” Gehlot said, a slight smile playing on his lips. “But that never happened. No one ever asked me, and certainly I never said ‘no.’” His tone was matter‑of‑fact, yet the occasional chuckle hinted at how absurd he finds the rumor.

The speculation started after an unnamed source reportedly told a news portal that Gehlot had been approached for the presidency and had politely declined, preferring to focus on his state duties. The story spread like wildfire, prompting a flurry of memes and heated debates on WhatsApp groups.

Gehlot, a veteran of the party with decades of experience, didn’t need to go into a long defence. “I have always served the party the way I could, whether it was as a minister, a chief minister, or a senior leader in the national executive,” he remarked. “If the party needed me in a different role, I would have considered it, but that conversation never took place.”

Political analysts note that the Congress, under the stewardship of Sonia Gandhi, has been looking for a strong, unifying figure to steer it through upcoming elections. Yet, according to Gehlot, the idea that he was on a short‑list is nothing more than a myth, perhaps fuelled by internal power‑plays.

“People love to create drama,” Gehlot added with a wry grin. “Sometimes a rumor is just a rumor, and it’s better to set the record straight before it turns into a story that people believe without question.”

The chief minister’s remarks have been widely quoted, with many senior leaders echoing his sentiment that the party’s leadership decisions will be taken collectively, without any single individual making unilateral choices.

For now, Gehlot remains focused on governing Rajasthan, emphasizing development projects, farmer welfare, and social schemes, while the Congress continues to wrestle with its internal dynamics ahead of the next national contest.