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“BJP has lost credibility”

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) president C.P. Joshi has ruled out his candidature for the post of the Chief Minister if the party returns to power in the State. “I am thankful to the party leadership for giving me this responsibility. I would be a proud and contented person if the party returns to power during my tenure as the PCC president,” he said.

Interacting with media persons at an “Open forum” programme organised by Journalist Association of Rajasthan (JAR) here on Saturday, Dr. Joshi, who took over from B.D. Kalla as PCC chief last month, said he was a “war time” party chief readying the organisation for the Assembly elections due next year. “I am enjoying the new assignment. It is a new challenge,” the former Minister and MLA from the temple town of Nathadwara in Rajsamand district, said.

Dr. Joshi, who is widely considered a protégé of former Chief Minister and Congress general secretary Ashok Gehlot, said that his appointment to the post was not part of any internal arrangement between them. “My predecessor Mr. Kalla too was doing a good job. The High Command wanted a change considering the challenges of the election year and I am here,” he said. Dr. Joshi said merely being the PCC president did not make him a potential candidate for the post of Chief Minister. Dr. Joshi,said he wanted to be in the organisation. “From day one in the Opposition benches I wanted Mr. Gehlot to lead us in the House,” he said.

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