RAJASTHAN Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said that Rahul Gandhi has refused to contest the party President’s election and wants a non Gandhi to be the party President. Gehlot said, “I will be filing nomination soon and it’s the need of the hour that Opposition should be strong, and I will fix the date of nomination.”

After meeting Rahul Gandhi in Kerala, Gehlot said that that Sonia Gandhi and general secretary in-charge Ajay Maken will decide on the Rajasthan CM face.

Gehlot said, “In the meeting, Rahul Gandhi clearly said that this time only non-Gandhi will become the President. This is the final decision, the President will not be made from the Gandhi family.” On the question of leaving the post of CM, Gehlot said that whoever becomes the Congress President, and till date whoever has become the Congress President, that person has not been the Chief Minister. “If I get a chance, I will work as the Congress President only.” On the question of the next face if the CM post falls vacant in Rajasthan, Gehlot said that Sonia Gandhi will decide about the next process. “Sonia Gandhi and general secretary in-charge Ajay Maken will decide together,” he said.