Rajasthan bypoll effect: CM Ashok Gehlot may go for cabinet expansion instead of ministry rejig | Jaipur News

These all would give CM Ashok Gehlot an advantage over Sachin Pilot in sharing power in the state.

JAIPUR: Armed with an impressive bypoll victory, chief minister Ashok Gehlot is scheduled to go to Delhi next week to discuss political appointments and cabinet expansion. The stock of Congress has increased after the party not only retained its seat in Vallabnagar, but captured a seat from the BJP in Dhariawad.
The ruling party performed well in the panchayat elections also held recently in Dholpur and Alwar. These all would give Gehlot an advantage over Sachin Pilot in sharing power in the state.
Now, doubts have been expressed over the early fulfilment of demands of the Pilot camp. The camp wants an equal share in the cabinet, political appointments and organisation. There has been a discussion in the All India Congress Committee regarding the demands of the Pilot camp. As Gehlot has become stronger politically, he may be in a position to influence the decisions related to the state.
There is pressure from the MLAs of the Gehlot camp to become ministers and for positions in political appointments. Six former MLAs of BSP merged with the Congress, independent MLAs supporting the government and senior Congress MLAs from the Gehlot camp are contending for ministerial posts. After the byelections and panchayat polls, the confidence of the Gehlot camp has increased. The victory in the byelection has given lifeline to some ministers whose names were in circulation to be dropped from the cabinet.
Now, in the changed circumstances, it might happen that the chief minister expands the council of ministers without dropping anyone, contrary to demands of the Pilot camp. If there is no interference from the high command, then Gehlot will go for a cabinet expansion and political appointments without dropping ministers, according to sources. tnn