New Delhi: The Congress on Friday had declared that Ashok Gehlot will be the Rajasthan Chief Minister while state Congress chief Sachin Pilot will be his deputy, bringing an end to the three day impasse on the question of leadership in the state.
The announcement was made by party observer for the state K.C. Venugopal.
He said the decision was taken by party President Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi, along with several senior party leaders, will be present on December 17 at the oath-taking ceremony of Rajasthan Chief Minister-designate Ashok Gehlot, party sources said on Saturday.
The programme, in which Sachin Pilot will also take oath as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister, would be held at 10 a.m at Albert Hall here.
Former Prime Minister and Congress veteran Manmohan Singh would also be present.
The other leaders expected at the ceremony include former Prime Minister H.D. Devegowda, former Union Minister Sharad Yadav, Congress leader Mallikarjun Khadge, former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, DMK working President M.K. Stalin, party leader Kanimozhi, JMM leader Hemant Soren and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha chief Babulal Marandi.
While Gehlot will take the oath as Chief Minister for the third time, Pilot will take the oath for the first time as Deputy Chief Minister.
| Name | Ashok Gehlot | |
| Date of birth | 3rd May 1951 | |
| Party | Congress | |
| Political career | He was the Chief Minister of Rajasthan from 1998 to 2003 and again from 2008 to 2013. He was also a Union Minister. | |
| Constituency | Sardarpura | |
| Native district | Jodhpur | |
| Educational Qualification | Science and Law graduate. MA in Economics | |
| Name | Sachin Pilot | |
| Date of birth | 7th September 1977 | |
| Party | Congress | |
| Political career | He served as Minister of Corporate Affairs. He is currently the President of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee. | |
| Constituency | Ajmer | |
| Native district | Saharanpur | |
| Educational Qualification | Diploma in Marketing, BA, MBA | |
| Spouse | Sarah pilot, daughter of Farooq Abdullah | |