New Delhi, May 30, 2023 – In a surprising turn of events, the Congress party showcased a united front as senior leaders Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot projected unity and pledged to work together for the upcoming assembly election in Rajasthan. The reconciliation between the two leaders, who have been at odds for years, comes as a relief to the party, which is aiming to repair its fractured image in the state.
The development unfolded after a four-hour meeting held in Delhi, where Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot engaged in discussions with party stalwarts Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Addressing the media after the meeting, senior Congress leader KC Venugopal announced that both leaders had unanimously decided to work together, leaving the decision-making authority to the high command.
The rift between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot has been well-documented, with media reports three years ago highlighting Pilot’s aborted rebellion and the subsequent drama when Gehlot was asked to stand for election to the party’s national chief’s post. At that time, over 70 MLAs had sided with Gehlot, defying the then party chief Sonia Gandhi, amid speculations that Pilot would succeed him.
In an attempt to find common ground between the two prominent leaders, the Congress party drew inspiration from the recent peace-brokering efforts in Karnataka between former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state party chief DK Shivakumar. The meeting aimed to address the demands put forth by Sachin Pilot, including action against the alleged paper leak scam that occurred during the previous BJP rule in Rajasthan.
The unity between Gehlot and Pilot is a crucial step for the Congress as the state gears up for the upcoming assembly election later this year. By projecting a united image and settling the contentious issue of Chief Ministership, the party aims to regain public trust and improve its electoral prospects in Rajasthan.
While the details of the “peace pact” and division of responsibilities were not disclosed, the Congress leaders expressed confidence in their ability to work together. The show of unity between Gehlot and Pilot in the recently concluded assembly election had proven fruitful for the party, and they hope to replicate that success by presenting a cohesive front in the upcoming polls.
However, the unity within the Congress party will be put to the test as Sachin Pilot had previously issued a warning that if his demands were not addressed by the end of the month, he would launch agitations across the state. Any disruption caused by Pilot’s potential agitation could significantly impact the party’s electoral prospects.
With the state assembly election just months away, the Congress party’s efforts to project a united front are critical. The reconciliation between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot brings a glimmer of hope for the party as it strives to rebuild its image and regain the trust of the electorate in Rajasthan. Only time will tell if this unity can withstand the challenges that lie ahead.
