Amidst the tussle with Sachin Pilot, Ashok Gehlot said, ‘We win trust by giving trust’

New Delhi: Amid leadership tussle in the Rajasthan unit of the Congress, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said that the post of Chief Minister is not important for him as he has been the Chief Minister thrice. On being asked whether former state chief Sachin Pilot would work with him or not? Gehlot said, “If he (Sachin Pilot) is in the party then why won’t he do that (work together).” Speaking to reporters, the three-time CM said, “Today it is my duty to do that Whatever the high command wants, which is to win the election.” Gehlot advised Pilot, saying that “whoever shows patience, will be rewarded”. Recalling the statement of former party president Sonia Gandhi, Gehlo said, ‘You win trust by giving trust. If everyone walks together, our government will be formed again. If you remain loyal to the party, then as Sonia Gandhi had said in the convention that one who is patient gets a chance one day.”

The Congress on Monday evening said that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot have agreed to fight the upcoming assembly elections unitedly and left all issues to be resolved by the party high command.

You win trust by giving trust. If everyone walks together, our government will be formed again. If you remain loyal to the party, then as Sonia Gandhi had said in the convention that those who have patience definitely get a chance one day: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot pic.twitter.com/BWGxZcVhuW– ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2023

The top Congress leadership, led by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, held marathon discussions with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Pilot joined them in the evening. Congress in-charge of state affairs Sukhjinder Randhawa was also present in the meeting.

ALSO READ: In late night press brief, Congress showcases unity between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot

The party tried to show that all is well in its Rajasthan unit, with sources claiming that the party has worked out a formula for the leaders of both the states to work together and fight the assembly polls unitedly. Addressing reporters after the meeting at Kharge’s 10, Rajaji Marg residence, party general secretary KC Venugopal said the two leaders had a long discussion with Kharge and Gandhi about the upcoming Rajasthan elections.

Along with Gehlot and Pilot, he said, “We have decided to fight the elections unitedly. Both have agreed that the Congress party will have to work together and definitely we will win the elections in Rajasthan.”

Venugopal said, “It is very clear that Rajasthan is going to be a strong state for the Congress party. We are going to win. So, both Gehlot ji and Sachin ji have decided to go together. Congress party united Will contest the election.” ,
He also said, “Both leaders Ashok ji and Sachin ji agreed on the proposal on these things.”

ALSO READ: Rajasthan: Gehlot resorts to ‘intellectual bankruptcy’ on Pilot over paper leak controversy

Asked which proposal he was talking about, Venugopal said, “Both have left it to the (party) high command. The high command will take a decision and both have agreed.” On whether the formula has been decided, he said, “We have decided that both the leaders have agreed to go together and it will be a joint fight against the BJP.” We will win the state.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh later tweeted, “The Congress party is on course to replicate the success of Karnataka in Rajasthan as well.” Later in a tweet, Venugopal said, “Our team in Rajasthan will fight the 2023 elections unitedly and register a landslide victory, breaking the decades-old tradition of alternating governments!”

Pilot has been attacking the Gehlot government on the issue of inaction on alleged corruption during the previous BJP government led by Vasundhara Raje and has been vocal against the Chief Minister of his own party. It was the first time after a long gap that the Rajasthan chief minister and his former deputy met face-to-face in the presence of the top party leadership.

Gehlot and Pilot have been fighting for power ever since the Congress formed the government in the state in 2018. In 2020, Pilot led an unsuccessful rebellion against the Gehlot government, following which he was removed from the posts of president and deputy chief of the party’s state unit. Minister.

Pilot had last month defied a party warning and went on a day-long fast, targeting Gehlot’s “inaction” over alleged corruption during the previous BJP government.