INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Congress defeated the BJP to form government in Rajasthan earlier this month
portfolios, saying the allotment was well though out and has been welcomed by the people
On Wednesday, Rajasthan ministers were allocated portfolios
Mr Gehlot kept nine departments for himself, including crucial ministries of home and financial affairs
He said the new ministerial group will hold its first meeting on December 28."We have taken a well-thought out decision, which the people
have welcomed," Mr Gehlot said, adding a united Congress will help provide good governance in the state.Mr Gehlot also dismissed allegation
of a delay in cabinet formation
"It takes two-three days in cabinet formation and the portfolios were handed over within two days in the state," he said."We will provide
good governance, improve law and order and move towards fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the youth, which are some big challenges
before us," he added.The Congress defeated the BJP to form government in Rajasthan earlier this month
The party was decimated in 2013 polls, winning only 21 out of 200 seats
Sachin Pilot was entrusted with reviving the party in the state
After the Congress won, he was vying for the chief ministerial post as well
He was however pipped by Mr Gehlot in the race
Mr Pilot settled for the post of deputy chief minister.Mr Pilot has been given the charge of public works, rural development, panchayati
raj, science and technology and statistics departments
"People gave the mandate and now the government will deliver
We will work in a collective leadership
Ours is a balanced cabinet with new, young and experienced members," the deputy chief minister said today.It was reported that Mr Gehlot was
given the charge of Rajasthan keeping in consideration the equations for 2019 general election, for which the preparation has already
He said a meeting with Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot and AICC general secretary in-charge for the state Avinash Pande has already
threat to the country, the country's democracy and its Constitution
All opposition parties feel this and we are hopeful the 'mahagathbandhan' will be formed soon and will be successful," he said.The proposed
alliance of regional parties with the Congress has not been formally announced yet
However, a rival proposed alliance that intends to leave the Congress out, is being mooted by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao,
who is meeting regional leaders to drum up support
So far, he has met with Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee and Odisha Chief Minister Navin Patnaik
He also intends to meet Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav.After nearly four years of poor performance, the Congress won assembly elections in
Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.With inputs from agencies
