'We Are United': Gehlot, Pilot Seen Together for 1st Time Since 'Gaddar' Remark Ahead of Bharat Jodo Yatra's Rajasthan Leg

In a show of unity, Rajasthan Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot were seen together on Tuesday for the first time since the Rajasthan Chief Minister’s “gaddar” remark which had reignited a war of words between the two leaders a few days back. They were seen together along with over 30 Congress leaders at a meeting for the part’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, scheduled to enter Congress-run Rajasthan on December 4.

In a video from the meeting, Gehlot and Pilot were seen greeting each other. Congress leaders spoke to reporters after participating in the meeting and party general secretary KC Venugopal told the media, holding both leaders’ hands, “We are united. Here Ashok Ji and Sachin Pilot Ji have said that the Congress party in Rajasthan is united.” Venugopal reiterated former party president Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in Indore on Monday when he had said both Gehlot and Pilot are “assets” to the Congress.

As both the leaders seemed united at this show of strength, Pilot said, “Bharat Jodo Yatra with Rahul Gandhi will be welcomed with maximum enthusiasm and energy in Rajasthan.” Congress party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra will go on for 12 days in Rajasthan, and will see participation from all sections of society, he added.

Senior party leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted, “The Congress in the state is united and determined to ensure that it will be an outstanding success. And indeed it will be!” Earlier, while going into the meeting, Gehlot too had recalled Gandhi’s remarks.

Venugopal said the yatra will not be a short-term event, and the party will unitedly fight the next elections and win. The yatra will enter Rajasthan in Jhalawar and will cut across the state in about 15 days.

‘Both Are Assets to Party’

When asked about Rahul Gandhi’s observation into the matter, Gehlot on Tuesday said, “When Rahul Gandhi has said that our leaders are assets then we are assets… where is the dispute then.”

Gehlot’s remarks were in sharp contrast to the interview he gave last week to NDTV, calling Pilot, with whom he is caught in a tussle for power, a “traitor”.

“This is the beauty of our party that after our top leader says anything, there is no scope (for further argument),” Gehlot told reporters here before attending a party meeting to review preparations for the yatra.

Gehlot’s Jibe and Pilot’s Response

In an interview with NDTV last week, Gehlot called Pilot a “traitor” and alleged that his 2020 revolt was funded by the BJP. “A gaddar (traitor) cannot be Chief Minister,” Gehlot said on Thursday and reiterated his stand on the matter and said the Congress high command cannot make Pilot the Chief Minister, “a man who doesn’t have 10 MLAs, who revolted against his own party”.

To this, Pilot had later responded saying the comments by Gehlot are “baseless”. 

Gehlot’s scathing remark against Pilot came after a Gurjar leader Vijay Singh Bainsla threatened to oppose Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in Rajasthan unless Pilot is made the chief minister.

As assembly polls are due next year in Rajasthan, the AICC had to step in to do some damage control and said Gehlot’s differences with Pilot would be “resolved” in a manner that strengthens the party.

Gehlot and Pilot have been at loggerheads over chief ministership ever since the Congress won the Rajasthan polls in 2018.

(with inputs from PTI)

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