Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has once again proven that he's nothing short of a crisis manager for the Congress party, while amidst questions surrounding the unity of the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar, Gehlot skillfully navigated the situation in less than 24 hours with his diplomatic moves, strengthening both the party and the alliance. Behind his simplicity and soft-spoken nature lies a deep strategic mind, adept at resolving political crises. Gehlot's role in reducing tensions among Mahagathbandhan leaders and conveying a. Message of unity in Bihar has once again showcased his political acumen.
Gehlot's Magic in Bihar
In recent days, there had been much speculation regarding the unity of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar. Reports of a lack of coordination among RJD, Congress, and other allied parties were surfacing. In this scenario, the Congress high command entrusted Ashok Gehlot with the responsibility of resolving the situation. Upon arriving in Bihar, Gehlot met with all key leaders and addressed their concerns, while his mediation resulted in the Mahagathbandhan promptly holding a joint press conference, where all parties collectively expressed confidence in fighting the upcoming elections strongly. Gehlot not only brought the leaders onto a single platform but also conveyed a strong message of Mahagathbandhan's unity to the media.
A Seasoned Diplomat
Diplomacy in Other States
Ashok Gehlot's political career spans over five decades, during which he has demonstrated his diplomatic capabilities on numerous occasions. In 2017, during Ahmed Patel's Rajya Sabha election in Gujarat, a crisis of cross-voting emerged. At that time, Gehlot made a late-night decision to approach the Supreme Court, which helped control the situation. His strategy proved decisive for the Congress. This characteristic makes him one of the most trusted leaders of the Congress.
Similarly, in the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections, Gehlot adopted a 'soft Hindutva' strategy, sparking a new debate. In the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections, given the conflict between Kumari Selja and Bhupinder Hooda, Gehlot was appointed as the election observer. He played a crucial role in establishing coordination between the two leaders. Likewise, in Maharashtra, Gehlot and Sachin Pilot were jointly appointed as observers. In all these states, Gehlot demonstrated his diplomatic skills and helped maintain unity within the party.
