Gehlot back at revolving door

The fate of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and state Congress president Girija Vyas hangs in a balance as the high command is set to...

The fate of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and state Congress president Girija Vyas hangs in a balance as the high command is set to announce changes in the state by this week-end.

As Sonia Gandhi weighs her options to do something dramatic following the Congress defeat in three Assembly by-elections, AICC general secretary Ambika Soni said here today that ‘‘changes in Rajasthan are likely this week.’’ When asked if the proposed changes include a replacement of the Chief Minister, she said: ‘‘Soniaji has been given all inputs. I can not say what her decision would be.’’

This is in contrast to what Congress spokesman Jaipal Reddy had stated last week. He had maintained that the changes in Rajasthan would not include the chief ministership. This implied that the future of Vyas is uncertain.

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In line with the prevailing uncertainty, Gehlot said: ‘‘I will abide by whatever decision the high command takes.’’

Vyas also said she has shouldered various responsibilities in the past. ‘‘Giving up one and taking up another at the bidding of the high command is something normal for me,’’ she said.

Senior Congress leaders from the state, including former chief ministers Shiv Charan Mathur and Heera Lal Deopura, descended here this week to mount pressure on the high command for the ouster of Gehlot.

Mathur, who met Sonia Gandhi on Monday, yesterday called for immediate ‘‘meaningful’’ changes.