Gehlot is Rajasthan CM, co-pilot role for Sachin

Congress observer to the state KC Venugopal made the announcement at a media briefing here, ending the suspense over who would be appointed Chief Minister of the state – experienced hand Gehlot, who will be chief minister for a third stint, or the Pradesh Congress Committee chief who is credited for being instrumental in the party’s turnaround in the desert state. Gehlot and Pilot will be sworn in on Monday. Gandhi and other Congress leaders are expected to attend the ceremony in Jaipur.

Addressing the press conference, Gehlot, 67, thanked Gandhi for giving him the opportunity to serve the people of the state for a third time and promised that he and Pilot will give “good governance”.

Pilot, 41, exuded confidence that Congress’ good electoral performance will continue, saying the party will get a big mandate in 2019 polls and form government at the Centre also.

Only the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister will be sworn in on Monday. The other members of the ministry will be announced later, Gehlot told reporters. The venue of the ceremony was not immediately announced. Pilot was apparently not on board on Gehlot’s name, which delayed the announcement.

Eventually, Gandhi successfully brokered peace with the CM-deputy CM compromise formula. “The united colours of Rajasthan,” Gandhi tweeted Friday afternoon along with a photograph inwhich the three leaders were seen in a jovial mood. More on P10

The Congress is likely to announce the Chief Minister for Chhattisgarh on Saturday with the contenders to the post – state party chief Bhupesh Baghel and Ambikarpur MLA TS Singh Deo — meeting party President Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday. With multiple claimants to the CM’s post in all the three states, there have been tussles between the rival camps, with each of them strongly staking their claims for the post.