As the Assembly elections in Rajasthan draw closer, the ongoing power struggle between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot has prompted Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to hold a meeting of senior party leader on Thursday to resolve their differences.
Sources revealed that the meeting will also focus on discussing the party’s strategy and preparedness for the forthcoming elections in Rajasthan. Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi, AICC in-charge of the state Sukhjinder Randhawa, and senior leaders from Rajasthan will convene at the party headquarters. Sources indicate that Gehlot, who is currently recovering from toe fractures, will attend the meeting via video conferencing.
Kharge has been conducting crucial strategy meetings with leaders from states heading into elections. Previously, he held separate meetings with leaders from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram.
All eyes are now on Rajasthan, as the Gehlot-Pilot tussle poses a challenge for the party in the upcoming assembly polls. After the recent success in Karnataka, the grand old party is determined to retain power in the desert state.
Pilot has been criticizing the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government for its alleged inaction on corruption charges against the previous Vasundhara Raje-led BJP administration. He also undertook a padyatra (foot march) last month, defying a warning from the party. Additionally, Pilot demanded the disbandment and reconstitution of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission, as well as decisive action and compensation for victims of leaked job exam papers.
Incidentally, Gehlot recently announced that the Rajasthan government will introduce a bill in the next assembly session to increase the punishment for those involved in recruitment exam paper leaks from 10 years to life imprisonment.