Ashok Gehlot
Gehlot in 2023
12th Chief Minister of Rajasthan
In office
17 December 2018 – 15 December 2023
Preceded byVasundhara Raje
Succeeded byBhajan Lal Sharma
In office
13 December 2008 (2008-12-13) – 12 December 2013 (2013-12-12)
Preceded byVasundhara Raje
Succeeded byVasundhara Raje
In office
1 December 1998 (1998-12-01) – 8 December 2003 (2003-12-08)
Preceded byBhairon Singh Shekhawat
Succeeded byVasundhara Raje
Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
Assumed office
1 December 1998
Preceded byMan Singh Deora
ConstituencySardarpura
General Secretary (Organisation) of
AICC
In office
December 2017 – January 2019
Succeeded byK. C. Venugopal
Union Minister of State for Tourism and Civil Aviation
In office
31 December 1984 – 26 September 1985
Prime MinisterRajiv Gandhi
Deputy Union Minister for Sports
In office
7 February 1984 – 31 October 1984
Prime MinisterIndira Gandhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Textiles
In office
21 June 1991 – 18 January 1993
Prime MinisterP. V. Narasimha Rao
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
1991–1999
ConstituencyJodhpur
In office
1980–1989
ConstituencyJodhpur
Personal details
Born (1951-05-03) 3 May 1951[1][2]
Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India[1]
Political partyIndian National Congress
SpouseSunita Gehlot
Children2
Residence(s)13, Sawai Pratapsingh Rd, Madrampur, Civil Lines, Jaipur
OccupationPolitician

Ashok Gehlot (born 3 May 1951) is an Indian politician who served as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan from 1998 to December 2003, then again from 2008 to December 2013, and later from 2018 to December 2023.[1] He represents Sardarpura constituency of Jodhpur as Member of Legislative Assembly of Rajasthan since 1999. He was a Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Jodhpur from 1991 to 1999 and from 1980 to 1989 and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Textile from 1991 to 1993, Tourism and Civil aviation from 1984 to 1984 and Deputy Union minister for Sports from 1984 to 1984. He was also a national General secretary of Congress Party, in-charge of organisations and training from March 2018 to 23 January 2019. He was also made in-charge of Gujarat state in 2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election.[3][4]

In 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election, his party congress party lost the election.

Personal life

Ashok Gehlot is the son of Laxman Singh Gehlot, a magician who used to travel around the country to show his magic tricks.[5] He belongs to the Mali caste.[6][7][8][9][10] Gehlot's father served as the president of the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation for two terms, as the vice-president for one term and was a mining contractor.[11] He is a science and law graduate, he also holds an MA degree in economics. He is married to Sunita Gehlot and has a son and a daughter.[1] His son Vaibhav Gehlot is a politician who contested in the Lok Sabha elections of 2019 from Jodhpur.[12]

He is a member of the Indian National Congress (INC) party. He was influenced by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi at a very young age and was actively engaged in social political work even as a student. During the East Bengali refugees crisis in 1971, he served in the refugee camps in the eastern states of India. It is there when former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi first identified his organizational skills during one of her visits to the refugee camps. Gehlot was later appointed the first State President of National Students' Union of India and successfully organised Congress's Student Wing in the state.[13] Gehlot is a staunch Gandhiite and he lived in Wardha to adapt his lifestyle as a Gandhiite. He eats before sunset and is a pure vegetarian and enjoys Satvik Meals, thereby making him a teetotaler.[5]

Political career

Sonia Gandhi and Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, launching the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), at Banswara, Rajasthan

He contested his first election for Rajasthan Legislative assembly in 1977 for Sardarpura constituency and lost by a margin of 4426 votes to his closest opponent Madhav Singh of the Janata Party. Gehlot had to sell his motorcycle to contest his first election. In 1980 he contested Lok Sabha election from Jodhpur and won by a margin of 52,519 votes. In 1984 he was appointed as the Union Minister. In 1989 he lost the election from Jodhpur.[14]

Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot meeting the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Jyotiraditya Scindia, in New Delhi on 8 January 2013

When the Congress party returned to power in 1991 he was appointed as Union Minister again by then Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. He was discharged from his duty in 1993 and headed towards his home state Rajasthan to manage Congress political affairs. In 1998, Congress won a landslide victory by winning 153 out of 200 seats. Ashok Gehlot was appointed as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan for the first time.[14]

In 2003, Congress lost Rajasthan and won merely 56 seats. In 2008 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election Congress was short of a majority by 4 seats and Gehlot who was a well-known troubleshooter in Congress was appointed as the Chief Minister to prevent instability and thus he was sworn in for the second time as Chief Minister.[15]

The Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar with the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot at the Chief Ministers' Conference on Internal Security, in New Delhi on 16 April 2012

In 2013, Congress suffered its worst-ever defeat by only winning 21 seats in 200 member assembly. Gehlot was then appointed as AICC General Secretary in 2013.[16] He remained at the position till 2018 and after 2018 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election, when Congress returned to power he was appointed as the Chief Minister for the third time despite the strong candidacy of Sachin Pilot due to his role in the revival of Congress after its worst-ever defeat in Legislative Elections. Sachin Pilot was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister.[17]

In 2022, it was reported that Sonia Gandhi supports Gehlot leading Congress in the next Indian general election.[18]

Gehlot recently announced that he is in favour of conducting a caste census. He announced that a six per cent additional reservation for the most backward castes within the Other Backward Class (OBC) category in the state will be provided. Varta Broadcasting(Tariq M. Kidwai) helps him to interact with public.[19]

In 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election, he once again won from the Sardarpura constituency.[20]

Administrative policies

Right to Health bill

In 2023, Ashok Gehlot's government brought the "Right to Health" bill, which was aimed at providing free medical facilities to all the residents of Rajasthan in every medical establishment in the state. The bill provided that every health establishment, whether public or private, located in Rajasthan will have to provide health facilities in emergency situation free of cost to patient, who is a resident of Rajasthan. Though hailed as a positive step by many, the bill's provisions were condemned by Indian Medical Association and the private doctors of the state. Many of them took to street against the bill and several concerns were raised upon viability of the scheme. The critics of the bill argued that it will bring the private establishment under tight control of bureaucracy, which will impede their proper functioning. The private medical facilities also protested on the fact that the bill hasn't described that how the private medical facilities will be reimbursed after providing free medical facilities to patients in emergency situation. The bill was also criticised for not defining the term "emergency situation". However, after the talks with the stakeholders, Gehlot's government was able to implement the provisions of bill with certain changes. It was informed by government authorities that the hospitals with less that fifty beds were excluded from enforcement of the provisions and only those private hospitals built with the government’s help or subsidies will have to implement the provisions.[21][22][23] With the bringing of universal right to health through this bill, Rajasthan became the first state in India to do so.[24][25]

Jaipur Metro Project

Manmohan Singh being presented a memento by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Phase-1B of Jaipur Metro, at Jaipur, Rajasthan on 21 September 2013.

In 2013, Gehlot also inaugurated the Jaipur Metro Project for bringing efficient transport infrastructure in the state of Rajasthan. The phase I-A of the project was laid down from Mansarovar to Chandpole, while the phase I-B was laid between Chandpole to Badi Chaupar.[26]

Kamdhenu Pashu Bima Yojna

On 12 April 2023, Gehlot launched Kamdhenu Pashu Bima Yojna, an insurance scheme for the milch animals for the resident cattle owners of Rajasthan. Under this scheme, a farmer needs to have at least two milch animal and his annual income shouldn't exceed eight lakh per annum for becoming a beneficiary. The government of Rajasthan also made this scheme available to the farmers having more than eight lacs as annual income, but in that case, they had to pay an annual premium of ₹200. The eligible beneficiaries were required to register for the scheme at their nearest Mehngai Rahat Camp (Inflation relief camps). Gehlot also organised the video conferences to connect directly with the people in order to make them aware of the scheme.[27] As per provision of this scheme, on the death of milch animal a compensation of ₹40,000 was announced to be provided per animal to the cattle owner as insurance claim. The scheme was made available to two animals per family, taking total benefits to ₹ 80,000.[28][29] This scheme, like many others were distributed at the instance of Gehlot through 2,500 Inflation relief camps running across the state, aiming to deliver ten flagship scheme of Gehlot's government to people.[30]

Leadership

Gehlot is known for his political acumen and most often, he is referred to as magician (jadugar) by his party colleagues. In 2022, Gehlot was reported to have ensured victory of three Indian National Congress candidate in Rajya Sabha polls, which were being conducted on four seats in the state. While ensuring that horse trading couldn't happen, he also cornered votes of some of the independent electors, who didn't share affiliation with any political party, to vote in favour of Congress candidates. Pramod Tiwari, the Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan, credited Gehlot for his political acumen after his victory in 2022 polls.[31] In 2023, prior to Rajasthan Legislative Assembly elections, Gehlot claimed in a public address at Dholpur, that three Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs, which included former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje and Dholpur MLA, Shobha Rani Kushwaha, helped him save his government from being toppled down in 2020, by some rebel leaders of his own party. However, Raje responded to Gehlot's claim by accusing him of plotting conspiracy against her to create distrust between herself and BJP leadership of state.[32] Gehlot's first stint as Chief Minister was witnessed in 1998, the year, which also saw rise of Sonia Gandhi to the presidency of Indian National Congress. In the election held that year, Jat community is reported to have thrown its weight behind Indian National Congress, as the face of party was veteran leader Parasram Maderna, a member of Jat community. Maderna was also one of the contender for the post of Chief Minister then and Jat community had supported Congress, in a bid to get a Chief Minister from their own community. However, Gehlot was able to sideline Maderna, to create a space for him for the premiership of state. Decades later, Gehlot faced similar situation in his political career, when next generation Congress leader, Sachin Pilot opposed him and tried to assume leadership, like Gehlot did to Maderna. However, according to senior journalist and political analyst, Rajendra Bora: " It was Gehlot's political manoeuvre, which helped him save his position, and he refused to give way to next generation leaders to rise up in state politics." It is opined by political analysts that post his rise in Rajasthan as face of Indian National Congress, Gehlot never allowed alternative leadership to develop in the party.[33]

Veteran journalist and political analyst, Narayan Bareth believes that Gehlot is considered as their biggest political adversary by the Jat leadership of the state of Rajasthan. Ever since his appointment as Chief Minister of State, the political future of two biggest Jat families, which had considerable say in the state's politics, was foredoomed. The Mirdha and Maderna political families, which belonged to Jat community were reduced to insignificant position in the politics of state. While the Mirdhas over the time became non important political entity, Maderna family's political clout was destroyed due to Mahipal Maderna's sex scandal, after which he was sacked from ministry by Gehlot. Gehlot however claims that he has no role in political future of Jat leadership of state. It is also admitted by some political analysts that Gehlot, besides playing political manoeuvre, is apt at handing the crisis situation through deliberations. During Gurjar agitation in state, when Gurjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla came to meet him, Gehlot gave him a portrait of Martin Luther King and persuaded him that the law and order situation shouldn't be distributed during the agitation.[34] It is also alleged that in the Bhanwari Devi murder case, despite knowing that she was blackmailing the Water Resource minister of state, Mahipal Maderna, Gehlot didn't take any step, which resulted in murder of Devi and Maderna along with other convicts were sacked; his conviction, further led to fall in his political graph. Gehlot's political opponent, Vasundhara Raje have also exploited the anguish of Jats against him, as Raje herself is married into Dholpur royal family, which belonged to Jats. It is opined that Congress failed to repeat the electoral victory like 1998 as the support of Jat community to it ceased to exist like earlier, due to Gehlot becoming the Chief Minister in 1998, after sidelining Parasram Maderna.[35]

Gehlot was also able to save his government from being toppled down by rebellion of some of the Congress MLAs, who were considered as loyal to Sachin Pilot, when Pilot claimed in 2020 that Gehlot's government was in minority. In what is called as Rajasthan Political Crisis of 2020, Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, and a colleague of Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot rushed to Delhi, claiming to have support of thirty MLAs. The MLAs of Piot faction of Congress claimed that Gehlot wanted to oust Pilot from all significant positions, he is holding in Congress party. The Congress leadership, in response to Pilot's activities issued whip and called a meeting of Congress Legislature Party in Jaipur. Pilot, however, refused to attend the meeting, showing complete distrust in Gehlot's leadership. It was later revealed that only twelve MLAs were present in Pilot's camp in Delhi and soon after latter's claim of having support of thirty MLAs, Congress claimed that 109 MLAs have submitted their written consent in favour of Gehlot.[36][37]

Despite opposition in several corners of the state by several influential communities, Gehlot himself believes that he served as the chief minister for three terms because of the support of all the communities of Rajasthan. Speaking to a gathering in 2022, in Bharatpur district, he said:

If all the communities do not love me, do not bless me, then how can I be made the chief minister 3 times… and the biggest thing is that my caste is called Saini, it is called Kushwaha, it is called Mali.” “There is only one MLA of my caste in the assembly, and that is myself… Sometimes, I think that what a lucky person I am, I am so fortunate that the people of Rajasthan have made me chief minister thrice.[38][39]

Positions held

YearPosition
1980–84Elected to the 7th Lok Sabha
  • Member – Public Accounts Committee 1980–82
  • Deputy Minister for Tourism 1982–84
  • Deputy Minister for Civil Aviation 1982–83
  • Deputy Minister for Sports 1984–84
1984–89Elected to the 8th Lok Sabha
  • Union Minister of State for Tourism 1984–85
  • Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation 1984–85
1991–96Elected to the 10th Lok Sabha
  • Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Textiles 1991–93
  • Member – Consultative Committee on Communication 1991–96
  • Member – Standing Committee on Railway 1991–96
1996–98Elected to the 11th Lok Sabha
  • Member – Standing Committee on Railway 1996–98
  • Member – Consultative Committee on Communication 1996–98
1998–99Elected to the 12th Lok Sabha
1999–2003Member, Eleventh Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (Elected in by-election)
  • Chief Minister, Rajasthan
2003–08Member, Twelfth Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
2008–13Member, Thirteenth Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
  • Chief Minister, Rajasthan
2013–18Member, Fourteenth Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
2018–2023Member, Fifteenth Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
  • Chief Minister, Rajasthan
2023–Cont. Member, Sixteenth Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
Sources:[40][41][42][20]

Other positions held

YearPosition
1974–79President, Rajasthan NSUI
1979–82President, City District Congress Committee, Jodhpur
1982General Secretary, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee
1985–89 President, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee
1994–97
1997–99
2004–08General Secretary, All India Congress Committee
2017–2019 General Secretary, All India Congress Committee
Sources:[43][13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Chief Minister, Rajasthan". Rajassembly.nic.in. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  2. ↑ "अशोक गहलोत के जन्मदिन पर समर्थकों ने किया शक्ति प्रदर्शन". Dainik Jagaran (in Hindi). 4 May 2018. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  3. ↑ PTI (26 April 2017). "Ashok Gehlot Appointed Congress General Secretary In-Charge For Gujarat". NDTV. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  4. ↑ "Sachin Pilot vs Ashok Gehlot: Your guide to Rajasthan political crisis in 10 points". India Today. 13 July 2020. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  5. 1 2 Kidwai, Rashid. "Ashok Gehlot: The Magician in Rajasthan Congress". thewire. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  6. ↑ Jaffrelot, Christophe (2010). Religion, Caste and Politics In India. Primus Books. p. xviii. ISBN 978-93-80607-04-7. In Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, a Mali, was made chief minister after the 1998 and 2008 state elections.
  7. ↑ "No One Is Made CM On Basis Of Caste: Ashok Gehlot". Outlook. 27 December 2022. Archived from the original on 27 December 2022. ... Gehlot said he is the only MLA from the Mali community in the Rajasthan Assembly and still people have made him the chief minister thrice.
  8. ↑ "What Makes Ashok Gehlot Congress' Top Choice as Party President After Gandhis?". the quint. 25 August 2022. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  9. ↑ "5 reasons why Rahul Gandhi picked Ashok Gehlot over Sachin Pilot". The Print. 14 December 2018. Archived from the original on 20 August 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  10. ↑ "What is Ashok Gehlot's secret to survival?". India Today. Archived from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  11. ↑ Ashok Gehlot Interview: Sachin Pilot, Vasundhara, Gajendra Shekhawat पर खुलासा| Saurabh Dwivedi, retrieved 9 July 2023
  12. ↑ Siddiqui, Imran Ahmed. "moochh-ki-ladai-gehlots-son-in-prestige-fight". Archived from the original on 18 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020. The biggest factor, however, remains the caste arithmetic. The BJP is banking on the support of the Rajputs, the dominant caste in Jodhpur, Brahmins and Jats. Gehlot is eyeing the OBC votes, especially the Mali community to which he belongs, as well as Muslims and SC/STs.
  13. 1 2 "Ashok gehlot :political career". Election.in. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  14. ↑ Tewari, Ruhi (8 December 2008). "Congress comes up tops in Rajasthan with 96 seats". Mint. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  15. ↑ Parihar, Rohit (8 December 2013). "Rajasthan: BJP's win is the biggest ever for any party, Congress's loss is the worst". Indiatoday. Archived from the original on 18 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  16. ↑ "Ashok Gehlot sworn in as Rajasthan chief minister, Sachin Pilot as deputy CM". The Times of India. 17 December 2018. Archived from the original on 13 November 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  17. ↑ Singh, Darpan (24 August 2022). "How Ashok Gehlot, not Rahul Gandhi, could be better off leading Congress into 2024". India Today. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  18. ↑ "Gehlot clicks caste census tab for a repeat ahead of polls". The Buck Stopper. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  19. 1 2 Livemint (3 December 2023). "Sardarpura, Rajasthan Election Result Highlights: Ashok Gehlot wins for 6th time". mint. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  20. ↑ "Right to Health: Protesting Doctors, Ashok Gehlot Govt Reach 'Consensus". The Wire. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  21. ↑ Hamza Khan, ed. (25 March 2023). "With Right to Health Act, Ashok Gehlot seeks to build on his healthcare legacy, eyes a fresh term". Indian express. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  22. ↑ "Rajasthan doctors call off stir against Right to Health Bill after pact with government". The Hindu. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  23. ↑ "Amid protests, Rajasthan becomes first State to pass Right to Health Bill". The Hindu. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  24. ↑ "Conflicting views emerge before passage of Right to Health Bill in Rajasthan". The Hindu. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  25. ↑ "Gehlot reviews work of Jaipur metro project stresses on safety". Economic Times. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  26. ↑ "Ashok Gehlot tries out his welfare card". The Hindu. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  27. ↑ "Rajasthan: सीएम गहलोत के जन्मदिन से पहले पशुपालकों को बड़ा तोहफा, दो दुधारू भैंसों का मुफ्त बीमा करेगी सरकार". News18 (in Hindi). 3 May 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  28. ↑ "Over Rs 2,313 Cr Given To Cow Shelters In Rajasthan In Last 4 Years: CM Gehlot". Outlook India. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  29. ↑ "Eyeing another term as CM, Ashok Gehlot pitches 'inflation relief' camps". Indian express. 24 April 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  30. ↑ "Rajya Sabha Poll: Gehlot Scripts Congress' Rajasthan Win But Haryana Slips Away". The Quint. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  31. ↑ "Did BJP help Ashok Gehlot save Rajasthan's Congress government in 2020? Vasundhara Raje says this". livemint. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  32. ↑ "Ashok Gehlot: Genial mass leader who played his cards right". Indian express. 15 December 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  33. ↑ "Ashok Gehlot: The low-profile leader who plays political magic". Hindustan Times. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  34. ↑ "Ashok Gehlot fears Jat backlash". India Today. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  35. ↑ "Sachin Pilot vs Ashok Gehlot: Your guide to Rajasthan political crisis in 10 points". India Today. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  36. ↑ "Rajastahan crisis: As Pilot succumbs, Gehlot seals a huge victory". newindianexpress. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  37. ↑ "No one is made CM on the basis of caste". The Print. 26 December 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  38. ↑ "No one is made CM on the basis of caste". Outlook. PTI. 27 December 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  39. ↑ "Biographical Sketch : Ashok Gehlot". loksabhaph.nic.in. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  40. ↑ "Ashok Gehlot Biography". OneIndia. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  41. ↑ Goswami, Rakesh (14 December 2018). "Ashok Gehlot: The low-profile leader who plays political magic". HindustanTimes. Archived from the original on 18 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  42. ↑ "Ashok Gehlot Biography". elections.in. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
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