Suspense continues over Rajasthan CM

Jaipur, Dec 12 (IANS) Who will be Rajasthan's new Congress Chief Minister? The question remained unanswered on Wednesday as the first round of meeting of newly elected MLAs failed to decide on a leader. Both former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and state Congress President Sachin Pilot reached the Congress office to attend the meeting of MLAs which was to choose the leader of the Congress Legislature Party. Both Pilot and Gehlot are leading contenders for the top post amid slogan shouting by supporters. Congress sources said both Gehlot and Pilot supporters were in equal numbers and hence a consensus had been built so that the Congress High Command -- an euphemism for party President Rahul Gandhi -- can take a call on the CM's post. Meanwhile, Congress observer K.C. Venugopal was taking feedback from each MLA and his report shall soon be sent to Rahul Gandhi. Once Gandhi decides on a name, the next meeting will be called to announce the name of the Rajasthan Chief Minister, said a Congress source. Both Gehlot and Pilot have said the Congress leadership should take the final decision. Heavy police deployment has been made at the venue to avoid any untoward incident.
--IANS