Ashok Gehlot Rejects 'Revolt' Tag Over 2022 Rajasthan Congress Chief Race, Calls It 'Big Conspiracy'
Ashok Gehlot Rejects 'Revolt' Tag Over 2022 Rajasthan Congress Chief Race, Calls It 'Big Conspiracy' Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 11:53 IST Ashok
Ashok Gehlot Rejects 'Revolt' Tag Over 2022 Rajasthan Congress Chief Race, Calls It 'Big Conspiracy' Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 11:53 IST Ashok Gehlot dismissed claims that the 2022 Rajasthan crisis was a revolt, calling it a conspiracy that damaged his image and misrepresented his intentions. A file photo of Ashok Gehlot (PTI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has sought to set the record straight on the political crisis that rocked the Congress in 2022, insisting that the events surrounding the leadership transition in Rajasthan were not a revolt against the party high command, but a “big conspiracy" that led to his defamation. Addressing the controversy that resurfaced over the September 2022 developments, Gehlot said he had remained silent for years despite widespread perceptions that he had engineered a rebellion to retain the chief minister’s post instead of moving to Delhi as Congress president. In a detailed statement shared on X and in remarks to reporters, Gehlot said he had no reason to reject the Congress presidency if the party leadership had entrusted him with the responsibility. “I am not uneducated. I know the stature of the Congress President’s post. Gandhiji was president, Pandit Nehru, Motilal Nehru, Sardar Patel, if Sonia Gandhi and the Congress were offering me the party president’s post, would I have refused?" Gehlot said.
Gehlot said a false narrative was created that he wanted to remain Rajasthan chief minister and therefore orchestrated a revolt against the Congress leadership. “They created such a situation, and that too was a conspiracy, in my opinion. I think it was a big conspiracy. Suddenly, observers arrived, suddenly there was a tamasha, and I got defamed," he said. According to Gehlot, even many of his close associates came to believe that he had opposed the leadership’s plans. “People think Ashok Gehlot wanted to remain chief minister and did not want to become Congress president, so the revolt happened. Even people very close to me think the same. How do I explain to them?" he said. “If I had revolted against the High Command, would they have kept me as Chief Minister?" he asked. #WATCH | Jaipur, Rajasthan: Congress leader Ashok Gehlot says, “…If Sonia Gandhi and the Congress were making me the Congress President, would I have refused? This was a conspiracy. The observers arrived suddenly…" pic.twitter.com/ofKjEzUXjz— ANI (@ANI) June 7, 2026 The veteran Congress leader said he has now reached a stage in his political career where he is not pursuing positions. In his X post, Gehlot wrote that he was “an extremely satisfied politician" and was not chasing any office.
“Today, I’ve got everything. I am an extremely satisfied politician in the country. Now, I’m not chasing any position. If some position comes and falls on me forcibly, that’s a different matter," he said. Gehlot maintained that as leader of the Congress Legislature Party, he accepted responsibility for the situation and personally apologised to Sonia Gandhi. “The party has given me everything. I was the leader of the legislative party. Even after that, this situation arose, so I apologised," he said. He also recalled that he had suggested postponing the legislative party meeting and holding discussions the following day, but events unfolded differently, and the required resolution could not be passed. Gehlot also used the occasion to urge Congress leaders in Rajasthan to move beyond internal divisions and focus on larger national challenges. He said the Rajasthan Congress continues to enjoy significant goodwill across the country and called on all leaders to work together. “Forget all differences, everyone unite as one," he said, adding that the country and the Congress party are facing critical challenges that require collective effort. 25 सितंबर के घटनाक्रम को लेकर किए गए दुष्प्रचार के संबंध में:आज मुझे सब कुछ मिल गया, मैं अति संतुष्ट पॉलिटिशियन हूँ देश का। अब मैं पद के पीछे नहीं हूँ। कोई पद ज़बरदस्ती आकर मुझपर पड़ जाए तो अलग बात है देखो।
मैं कोई पद के लिए नहीं हूँ कि पद के लिए मैं ये करूँ, वो करूँ, कुछ नहीं… pic.twitter.com/06nauxjKL Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) June 7, 2026 The former Chief Minister also cautioned social media users against targeting senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot. “Please stick to the truth, and don’t harm Sachin Pilot. You’ve already caused a lot of damage," he said. Gehlot also reiterated that despite political disagreements, he harbours no personal animosity toward Pilot and has known him since childhood. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: June 08, 2026, 11:50 IST News india Ashok Gehlot Rejects 'Revolt' Tag Over 2022 Rajasthan Congress Chief Race, Calls It 'Big Conspiracy' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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