Ashok Gehlot, the former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, faced criticism during a Congress review meeting for his decision not to replace sitting MLAs despite widespread anti-incumbency sentiments. The prevailing sentiment among attendees was that a more strategic selection of candidates could have potentially saved Gehlot's government.
Gehlot defended his stance by citing the MLAs' support during a previous rebellion, but this justification failed to appease the majority at the meeting. Many participants pointed to the inadequate selection of candidates, noting that surveys had indicated strong public displeasure with most Congress MLAs.
During the meeting, Rahul Gandhi disagreed with Gehlot's assessment that the Rajasthan Assembly polls had turned into a Hindu-Muslim battle due to the BJP's polarizing tactics. Rahul argued that divisive politics had a limited impact.
Despite Rahul's attempts to convince Gehlot to replace approximately 40 MLAs, the former Chief Minister remained resistant. The majority of MLAs on the "suspect list" were subsequently defeated, including senior ministers whom Gehlot had supported.
There is a divide within the Congress central leadership regarding whether to undertake an immediate organizational overhaul in states where the party suffered defeats. Some are cautious, considering the proximity of the 2024 general election, while others advocate for a fresh approach to generate voter interest.
Congress sources revealed that the party leadership is hesitant to implement major changes, especially amid speculation about the government potentially advancing the general election after inaugurating the Ayodhya Ram temple in January.
While some acknowledge the need for changes before the elections, others argue against introducing new leadership, suggesting that leaders like Kamal Nath, Ashok Gehlot, and Bhupesh Baghel should continue in their roles.
However, a younger faction within the party opposes maintaining the status quo, asserting that the Congress should present a new leadership and vision instead of relying on leaders with decades of experience. This group holds leaders like Kamal Nath and Gehlot responsible for defeats in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, attributing the losses to overconfidence and a lack of team spirit under their leadership.
The unexpected defeats in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh have caused concern within the Congress. Rahul Gandhi, acknowledging the urgency, canceled his foreign tour and conducted review meetings for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram within a week of the election results.
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