NEW DELHI: Congress leader Sachin Pilot has hinted at a possible reconciliation with Ashok Gehlot, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
Pilot stated that on the advice of party president Mallikarjun Kharge, he has decided to bury the hatchet and move forward together in the upcoming Assembly polls. The Congress leader emphasised the importance of collective leadership in the party’s future.
During a key strategy meeting of the party concerning the Rajasthan polls, Pilot revealed that Kharge advised him to “forgive and forget” and focus on the future. Pilot acknowledged Gehlot’s seniority and experience, highlighting the Chief Minister’s efforts to bring everyone along. He emphasised the need for unity and working together to meet the challenges ahead and gain the support of the people of Rajasthan.
“It was as much an advice as a directive. Ashok Gehlot is older than me, he has more experience. He has heavy responsibilities on his shoulders. When I was the Rajasthan Congress president, I tried to take everyone along. I think that today he is the Chief Minister (Gehlot), so he is trying to take everyone along,” Pilot told a news agency in an interview.
Pilot further commented on maintaining a dignified discourse in politics and refraining from using unpleasant language. He stressed the importance of focusing on the upcoming Assembly polls and moving forward unitedly, leaving past statements behind.
“He (Kharge) said forgive and forget and look forward and that applies to everybody. I believe in that. We now have to move forward and meet new challenges,” Pilot said.
This country needs Congress to do well. We need to seek the blessings of the people of Rajasthan and to do that we have to work unitedly and move forward in a way that is acceptable to the people and the party workers,” the former Rajasthan Dy CM said.
“Next challenge for us is to win elections, neither individuals nor statements matter, those are bygones,” he said.
The Congress leader’s remarks come after a meeting attended by Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi, AICC in-charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Randhawa, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Dotasra, and several MLAs and ministers from the state. Gehlot, who is recovering from toe injuries, attended the meeting via video conferencing.
The party expressed confidence in winning the Rajasthan polls with unity and warned of strict action against those who deviate from party discipline. It was also indicated that the Congress may not declare a chief ministerial face ahead of the polls, as the decision typically occurs after elections.
“Every time we go to polls, it is not an individual that fights elections. So, in 2018, when I was the state party president and when we fought the elections unitedly we never said X, Y or Z will be the CM face. That is a decision that happens post elections,” Pilot said.
Pilot highlighted the challenge of tackling the anti-incumbency trend that has persisted in Rajasthan for over two decades. He emphasised the importance of collective leadership, teamwork, and the involvement of party workers in decision-making. Pilot called for the encouragement of young leaders and expressed his dedication to the party’s decisions.
“It is a cause of concern as to why we form the government and then we lose rather badly in the next polls,” Pilot said. “I have said earlier, no one individual can say or claim that he or she can do the magic of winning elections. It is always a team effort,” he added.
“More than leaders, it is the workers, we have to enthuse the workers, they need to feel committed and involved, and as Rahul Gandhi has said that the party workers must feel involved in decision-making,” he further said.
Regarding his role going forward, Pilot stated that he has always discharged his duties with utmost dedication and will accept any decision taken by the party’s high command.
He also expressed optimism about the party’s performance in the upcoming polls, aiming to achieve more seats than last time. “We are on our way to making history. We may get more seats than we got last time,” he said.
The power tussle between Pilot and Gehlot began in 2018 when the Congress formed the government in Rajasthan. Both leaders have been involved in public disagreements on multiple occasions.
In 2020, Pilot led a revolt against the Gehlot government, resulting in his removal from party posts. Last year, an attempt to effect a leadership change in Rajasthan failed, and Pilot recently defied warnings from the party with a day-long fast criticizing Gehlot’s alleged inaction on corruption during the previous Vasundhara Raje government.