Jaipur, Dec 12 (UNI) Activities were hastened at the Congress state headquarters here on Wednesday as the party took up exercise for formation of the next government.
The grand old party that has managed to touch the magical majority mark of 100 in the effective strength of 199 in the newly elected House, with the help of ally RLD's lone member, Dr Subhash Garg, had swiftly convened the first meeting of its legislature party (CLP) to elect it leader.
The meeting held at the party headquarters here around 1130 in the presence of AICC state incharge general secretary Avinash Pandey and central observer K C Venugopal.
AICC General Secretary and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and party state president Sachin Pilot are front runners for the post.
While Mr Gehlot seemed comfortable banking on his four decade long experience in government and the party organisation in varied capacity and different positions, Mr Pilot appeared to be sailing on clamour about his term as party state president and representative of youths.
The meeting was in progress amid slogan chanting by Pilot supporters outside the party headquarters.
The per the general practice the CLP after collective deliberation will adopt a resolution to authorise the party president Rahul Gandhi to choose the leader.
The party observer Mr Venugopal and Mr Pandey will also seek individual view of the newly elected MLAs over their choice of leader after the meeting.
The CLP is again scheduled to meet later this afternoon and in all likelihood the name of the leader would be declared at this session.
The party in the meantime has also sought an appointment with Governor Kalyan Singh for staking claim for formation of the government.
A party delegation is scheduled to call on Governor Singh this evening.
The party has won 99 of the 199 seats that went to polls on December 7 Assembly elections followed by BJP 73, BSP 06, RLP-03, CPM and BTP 02 each, RLD 01 and Independents 13. Election on Ramgarh seat in Alwar district has been countermanded following the death of BSP nominee Laxman Singh Chaudhary.
The Congress has contested the poll under pre-poll alliance with RLD, LJD and NCP. So with the help of lone RLD winner Dr Garg the Congress enjoys majority support of 100 MLAs.
Moreover, the BSP and SP have also resolved to extend support to Congress for strengthening anti-BJP plank of opposition parties in the next Lok Sabha general polls
UNI SS JW1313