New Delhi:
Congress president Rahul Gandhi is expected to take the final call on the chief ministerial faces in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan on Friday. In Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot are the chief ministerial aspirants. As in the case of Madhya Pradesh, a young-versus-experienced debate has complicated the race in Rajasthan. Independents have stacked their support against Ashok Gehlot, while majority party leaders have backed Sachin Pilot. After hours of deliberation, Kamal Nath was chosen for the top post in Madhya Pradesh late on Thursday night.
Appealing workers to maintain peace, Pilot tweeted, “I have full faith in the leadership, we will welcome whatever Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi decide.” Gehlot also played down reports of infighting among Rajasthan Congress leaders for the post of chief minister and appealed to party workers to maintain peace, saying the decision of the leadership on it will be acceptable to all.
Read More | Rahul Gandhi picks Kamal Nath as the new chief minister of Madhya Pradesh
"I appeal to workers to maintain peace. Today, the party needs its workers. The Congress president has already credited the workers for their hard work in ensuring the party's victory in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh," Gehlot said.
On the other hand, Chhattisgarh chief minister aspirants — state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel and CLP leader TS Singh Deo — have been summoned for a meeting in Delhi on Friday.
Also Read | After Assembly poll results, BJP leaders in Maharashtra to switch loyalty to Congress, NCP
Here are the LIVE updates:
01.42 pm: Kamal Nath invites Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav for the swearing-in ceremony on December 17.
01.40 pm: I would like to thank public and I hope that we will live up to the expectations that public has from us and the Congress party. Our priorities will be agriculture sector & generating employment for the youth, says Madhya Pradesh CM designate Kamal Nath.
01.30 pm: I would like congratulate Kamal Nath Ji and convey my best wishes to him. I hope he will fulfill all the promises he has made and continue with the schemes we had implemented, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: I would like congratulate Kamal Nath Ji and convey my best wishes to him. I hope he will fulfill all the promises he has made and continue with the schemes we had implemented. #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/3prwIHOz8I
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018
11.55 am: Decision is not being delayed, BJP is spreading lies. BJP took 7 days in UP and 9 days in Maharashtra to choose a CM. The process takes time, observers go to sates for discussion. Whenever such a decision is taken it takes time, says Ashok Gehlot.
11.35 am: Kamal Nath meets Anandiben Patel, stakes claim to form the government in Madhya Pradesh.
11.10 am: Priyanka Gandhi present at Rahul Gandhi's residence.
09.25 am: Kamal Nath will take oath as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister on December 17 at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal.
Kamal Nath will take oath as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister on December 17 at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal (file pic) pic.twitter.com/YHZKb0xcQB
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018
08.16 am: After the elections results, the observer came here&had a meeting with all MLAs. It was mutually decided that the final decision will be taken by Congress high command. Whatever responsibility leadership will give, we will follow, says Bhupesh Baghel, Chhattisgarh Congress president.
Bhupesh Baghel, Chhattisgarh Congress President: After the elections results, the observer came here&had a meeting with all MLAs. It was mutually decided that the final decision will be taken by Congress high command. Whatever responsibility leadership will give, we will follow. pic.twitter.com/mURXTYzYks
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018
08.00 am: Newly elected chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath, will meet Governor Anandibai Patel later at 10.30 am and will decide the on the date of the oath-taking ceremony.
07.30 am: Senior Congress leader and Rajasthan observer KC Venugopal said that there would be a final decision on who would assume the office of chief minister in Rajasthan today.
