Gehlot sworn in as Rajasthan Chief Minister

Jaipur: Ashok Gehlot, who spearheaded the Congress campaign and brought it back to power in assembly elections in Rajasthan, was today sworn in as Chief Minister for a second term in office.

57-year-old Gehlot, who was the Chief Minister between 1998 and 2003, was sworn in at a public ceremony in front of a large number of Congressmen by Governor S K Singh. He was the only one to take oath today.

Gehlot, who brings vast political and administrative experience to the job, also as a former Union Minister and grassroots worker beat rival claims in the party with his clean image and on the basis of the seasoned campaign in the elections.

His election on Thursday as Congress legislative party leader was preceded by intense jockeying for power by rival faction chiefs, including on caste line that some one from the Jat community should be given the top political job.

C P Joshi, the party's state unit President who lost by one vote in Nathdwara constituency, was also in the race apart from senior leaders like Union Minister Sis Ram Ola and Parasram Maderna, both Jats.

There were also ugly scenes of clashes between supporters of Gehlot and Ola in front of the guest house where the central observers, including Digvijay Singh, were staying.

"Gehlot would have to keep the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections and the caste factor in mind while selecting his team," said political analyst Vijay Sharma.

A major problem for Gehlot is that all of his senior colleagues, including B.D. Kalla, C.P. Joshi, Pradhuman Singh and Harendra Mirdha, have lost the elections. However, the chief minister seems unfazed.

"Everything will be fine. The process to form a cabinet is underway and the final decision on appointing ministers would only be taken after approval from the central leadership," Gehlot told reporters.

Congress sources said Gehlot will induct some leaders of the Jat community in his ministry and the names of Mahipal Maderna, Sonaram and Hemaram Chaudhary are under consideration.

Senior Jat leaders, including union minister Sis Ram Ola and Parasram Maderna, had openly opposed Gehlot's appointment as the chief minister.

Other names being considered for cabinet berths include Bina Kak, Shanti Dhariwal, Deependra Singh Shekhawat, Jitendra Singh, Brajinder Ola, Rajendra Pareek, Parasadi Lal Meena, Raghuveer Meena and Aimaduddin alias Duru Miyan.

Duru Miyan might be made the speaker of the assembly, party sources said.

Meanwhile, talks on having two deputy chief ministers for the state have been postponed. Discussions on this will only be take place after the Lok Sabha polls, the sources added.