Ashok Gehlot affectionate towards me: Sachin Pilot
Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday sought to downplay former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot’s recent criticism of him, saying Gehlot has always shown him affection.
He added that all Congress leaders and workers should remain united to strengthen the party and to fight the BJP.
Responding to questions from reporters on Gehlot’s remarks in Dausa, Pilot adopted a measured tone and avoided any direct attack on the veteran Congress leader. “I heard his Statement. What I remember is that he said he has for me the same affection and attachment he has for his son, Vaibhav Gehlot. We are all soldiers of the Congress party,” Pilot said.
The remarks came days after Gehlot said that the events of September 2022 were not a revolt against the Congress high command but MLAs’ Opposition to Pilot’s possible elevation as chief minister. On Sunday, Gehlot said MLAs loyal to him were willing to accept any leader chosen by the party high command except Pilot, as they still resent Pilot’s 2020 rebellion against the then Congress Government. He also said Pilot should “accept the truth” and acknowledge his mistakes.
Pilot pointed out that Congress leaders and workers across the country were working together to spread the message of harmony and to take on the BJP. “Rahul Gandhi has given a message across the country that we must open a ‘mohabbat ki dukan’. We all have to collectively fight the BJP’s misgovernance.
Leaders, workers and office-bearers are carrying forward that struggle together. I am confident that Congress has always remained strong in Rajasthan and has set an example in the country.
