What Happened to Ashok Gehlot?

Ashok Gehlot, born on May 3, 1951, has been a stalwart of the Indian National Congress, carving out a significant political career spanning several decades. His journey began in student politics, leading to his first election to the Lok Sabha in 1980. He subsequently served as a Union Minister under Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and P.V. Narasimha Rao, holding portfolios such as Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sports, and Textiles.

Gehlot's most prominent role has been as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, a position he held for three non-consecutive terms: from 1998 to 2003, 2008 to 2013, and most recently from 2018 to December 2023. His third term was marked by internal party strife, notably the 2020 Rajasthan political crisis involving then-Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, where a rebellion by some Congress MLAs loyal to Pilot threatened to destabilize Gehlot's government. Another significant turning point occurred in September 2022, when Gehlot's refusal to step down as Chief Minister amidst speculation of him contesting for the Congress presidential polls created a rupture with the party's central leadership. Gehlot has since claimed this was a 'wrong perception' and a 'conspiracy to defame him,' asserting there was no revolt against the high command.

The Congress party, under Gehlot's leadership, lost the Rajasthan Assembly elections in December 2023, leading to the end of his third term as Chief Minister. Since then, his national organizational role within the Congress appears to have diminished, a situation made more conspicuous by the recent elevation of his long-time rival, Sachin Pilot, to AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab in September 2026.

Despite this, Gehlot remains a vocal and active figure in Rajasthan politics. In February 2026, he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to restore public welfare schemes initiated by his previous Congress government, which he alleged were discontinued or diluted by the current BJP administration. More recently, in August 2026, Gehlot advocated for a significant generational shift within the Congress, urging the party to allocate over 50% of its tickets to Gen Z and young candidates in the upcoming local body elections, emphasizing merit over recommendations.

As of September 2026, Gehlot is actively campaigning for the Congress in the Rajasthan Urban Local Body Elections. He has been sharply critical of the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP government, accusing it of failing to deliver on promises, neglecting urban development, and mismanaging schemes like the Jan Dhan Yojana, citing a high number of inactive accounts. He also publicly criticized the BJP government in September 2026 over alleged political interference in the Rajasthan Cricket Association and commented on the controversy surrounding a book on Sonia Gandhi, alleging pressure on publishers. His continued engagement highlights his enduring influence and commitment to the political landscape of Rajasthan.