As part of his Rajasthan poll campaign, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was greeted in Jaipur by colleague Sachin Pilot and party leader Ashok Gehlot. He predicted that the party would win hands-down.
(Image source : HT Photo)
Rahul Gandhi welcomed by Gehlot and Pilot
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot welcomed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to Jaipur on Thursday so he could begin campaigning for the upcoming assembly elections. Gandhi declared that the party was unified and that the desert state election would be easily won.
Pilot and Gehlot could be seen smiling in a video that the news agency ANI released, showing Gandhi motioning for the two Rajasthan Congress leaders to move forward.
“We’ll be united and Congress will win”
Not only are we seen together, but we are one. Gandhi told reporters, “We will be united and the Congress will win this election here in Rajasthan.” Elections in Rajasthan are scheduled for November 25.
Rahul Gandhi’s declaration of unity was released one day after Ashok Gehlot shared a picture of a party meeting on X, which Sachin Pilot was also present at. Gehlot captioned the photo, saying, “Together, winning, again,” suggesting that he and Pilot have made up their minds to put their differences behind them.
Gandhi’s remarks become significant in light of rumors that Gehlot and Pilot are warming up. 2020 saw a coup against Gehlot led by Pilot, the Deputy Chief Minister at the time, and eighteen Congress MLAs who supported him. Pilot was later dismissed from both the position and his leadership role in the state legislature. The two leaders’ relationship has remained tense ever since the crisis.
Pilot talks about the previous relationship with Gehlot
Pilot spearheaded a demonstration against the Gehlot administration earlier this year, calling on it to investigate claims of corruption from the previous Vasundhara Raje-led BJP regime. Gehlot had continually made fun of Pilot for his behavior, referring to him as a “nikamma” (useless).
Speaking about his strained relationship with Gehlot, Pilot recently stated in an interview with India Today TV that he did not want to dwell on the past.Pilot said, “I have said that I always avoid using such language,” in response to the question of whether or not things were good between him and Gehlot. The wording used was inappropriate. When communicating in public, one should maintain dignity. We ought to exercise extreme caution in our speech.”
“I don’t want to dwell on our previous interactions. We will cooperate because it is our duty and goal to work together for the party,” he continued.
On Tuesday, the former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan said that former AICC president Rahul Gandhi and party leader Mallikarjun Kharge had given him the advice to “forgive, forget, and move on” while working in the state.
(Image source : X)
Claims of General secretary KC Venugopal
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal claimed that the party was still united in Rajasthan prior to Rahul Gandhi. There is a story being spread that the Congress in Rajasthan is divided. I can affirm that our party is still united, though. To ensure the BJP’s downfall and return to power in Rajasthan, all of our leaders are uniting and fighting for the same goal. The public sentiment and pulse, in my opinion, are on our side. Do not be concerned. According to Venugopal, the Congress is on track to retake power in Rajasthan.
