Ashok Gehlot, one of the most popular household names in Rajasthan has been elected as chief minister of Rajasthan for the third time. Indian National Congress almost kissed the majority mark on its own at the Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2018.
The student politician of the 1970s caught eyes of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi while managing camps during the East Bengali Refugee crises. In three years Gehlot became the first state president of Congress’ National Student Union. Down the years he became an important member of the party, winning elections in 5 Lok Sabha Elections before switching to the state politics.
He served 2 terms as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan and could add another term to his name after the party won 99 seats in the 2018 Rajasthan Assembly Elections.
Gehlot gave BJP a run for its money when he campaigned heavily for his party in the Gujrat Assembly Elections and almost took it to victory. In an election where Congress was seen to lose heavily, He along with party Chief Rahul Gandhi had swung opinion polls in their favour. Gehlot made a campaign which focused on issues such as unemployment, GST’s impact and farmers’ distress against BJP’s narrative of sympathy. Though Congress fall short of victory, Gehlot earned respect all over the country for his political understanding.
Along with Sachin Pilot, he is a leading prospect for the post of Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
