Gehlot backs Raut's call: Congress-origin parties should reunite, accept Rahul Gandhi
Synopsis
Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has backed Sanjay Raut's call for parties that broke away from Congress to return to the fold and accept Rahul Gandhi as the INDIA bloc's undisputed leader — a direct push to consolidate fragmented opposition ranks ahead of future elections, with Gehlot warning that democracy itself is at stake.
Key Takeaways
Ashok Gehlot on 12 June endorsed Sanjay Raut 's proposal that Congress-origin regional parties should reunite with the Indian National Congress .
Gehlot called for all INDIA bloc partners to 'unequivocally' accept Rahul Gandhi as the alliance's leader.
He explicitly exempted Shiv Sena , CPI(M) , CPI , and Samajwadi Party from the reunification appeal, citing their independent origins.
Gehlot stated that 'democracy in this country is under serious threat' and urged all political forces to prioritise its protection.
He also appealed to the youth to enter politics on ideological conviction, saying history would judge their role at this critical juncture.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on 12 June endorsed a proposal by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut that regional parties which broke away from the Indian National Congress should consider rejoining the parent organisation and collectively accept Rahul Gandhi as the leader of the INDIA bloc. Gehlot framed the call as an urgent democratic imperative, arguing that a fractured opposition cannot effectively challenge the ruling dispensation.
What Gehlot Said
'There is substance in what Sanjay Raut has said. The time has come to fight to save democracy. When all of us are on the battlefield to protect democratic values, I support his view that those parties which emerged after separating from the Congress should consider rejoining and wholeheartedly accept Rahul Gandhi as their leader,' Gehlot said.
He stressed that the INDIA bloc must project an unambiguous leadership face to the country. 'There should be a clear message across the nation that Rahul Gandhi is the leader of the INDIA bloc. People see a direct political contest between Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi. If all opposition parties jointly and unequivocally accept Rahul Gandhi's leadership, the voting pattern in the country can change significantly,' he added.
Who the Call Does Not Target
Gehlot was careful to carve out parties with independent political origins. 'Shiv Sena has always been a separate party. CPI(M) and CPI have also followed their own political paths. We cannot make such a claim upon them. Similarly, parties like the Samajwadi Party have their own origins and traditions. We have no complaint against them,' he said. His appeal, he clarified, is directed specifically at outfits that were formed after splitting from Congress.
Democracy Under Threat, Says Gehlot
Expressing alarm over the condition of democratic institutions, Gehlot said, 'I believe democracy in this country is under serious threat. The situation is deeply concerning, and safeguarding democratic values should be the foremost priority for all political forces.' This comes amid a prolonged period of opposition attempts to consolidate under the INDIA alliance ahead of future electoral contests.
Appeal to the Youth
Gehlot also directed a message at students and young professionals, urging them to enter politics on ideological grounds. 'I repeatedly appeal to the younger generation to enter politics on the basis of ideology. Understand different political ideologies, and join whichever party you believe serves the national interest,' he said. He added that history would judge each generation by the role it played at pivotal moments: 'Come forward, participate in politics, and contribute to strengthening democracy and the nation.'
Point of View
CPI, and Samajwadi Party reveal the limits of the appeal: the parties most likely to resist absorption are also the ones with the largest independent vote bases. Naming Rahul Gandhi as the singular face of the INDIA bloc is a gamble — it could sharpen the opposition's narrative, but it also risks alienating regional satraps who joined the alliance on the understanding that it would remain a coalition of equals, not a Congress revival project.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ashok Gehlot say about regional parties and Congress?
Gehlot endorsed Sanjay Raut's suggestion that regional parties which originally broke away from Congress should consider rejoining the party and accepting Rahul Gandhi as the INDIA bloc's leader. He argued this would strengthen opposition unity and potentially shift voting patterns nationally.
Which parties did Gehlot exempt from his reunification call?
Gehlot explicitly excluded Shiv Sena, CPI(M), CPI, and Samajwadi Party, noting they have independent political origins and traditions. His appeal was directed only at parties formed as direct splits from the Indian National Congress.
Why is Gehlot calling for opposition unity now?
Gehlot cited what he called a 'serious threat' to democracy in India as the primary reason for urgent opposition consolidation. He argued that a clear, united leadership front — with Rahul Gandhi as the face — is necessary to mount an effective challenge in future elections.
What did Gehlot say about Rahul Gandhi's leadership of the INDIA bloc?
Gehlot said there should be a 'clear message across the nation' that Rahul Gandhi leads the INDIA bloc, adding that a direct Modi-versus-Gandhi framing, backed by unified opposition acceptance, could significantly alter voting patterns in the country.
What was Sanjay Raut's original proposal that Gehlot endorsed?
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had suggested that regional parties with roots in Congress should reunite with the parent party and rally behind a single opposition leadership. Gehlot, speaking in Jaipur, said there was 'substance' in Raut's view and publicly backed the idea.
