57-year-old Gehlot, a former chief minister, was unanimously elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party, AICC observer Digvijay Singh, said after intense consultations with MLAs after a CLP meeting authorised Sonia Gandhi to nominate the new leader.
The chief minister-elect told reporters later that he would work to provide an "able, transparent and competent" government that will cater to all the sections, castes and communities of people.
Earlier in the day there were ugly scenes of clash between supporters of Gehlot and Union Minister Sis Ram Ola, a jat, before a state guest house where the AICC observers were staying. The exchanged blows and indulged in fisticuffs before police separated them.
