Finance
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot began Wednesday with a cryptic “together, winning again” post on X that appeared to offer his former deputy and current rival, Sachin Pilot, an olive branch ahead of next week’s Assembly election. A photograph shared by Mr Gehlot, 72, showed the two in a meeting with others from the ruling Congress, including General Secretary KC Venugopal.
The post comes days before the state votes for a new government and after conciliatory comments by Mr Pilot; on Tuesday he played down questions on the Gehlot-Pilot feud and dismissed reminders of acerbic barbs the two have exchanged over the past few years, including the ‘nikamma’ remark.
“Leave it! Who said what? I can be responsible for what I said… we should maintain dignity in political discussions,” Mr Pilot, 46, told PTI. Last week he spoke to NDTV about unity within the party’s ranks and about a “five-year roadmap”. “Together, we will make Congress win,” he said.
He also said Congress boss Mallikarjun Kharge had advised him to “forgive, forget, and move on.”
Mr Pilot, who will look to defend his Tonk seat, has also played down talk his rebellion of three years ago could affect his chances at being named Chief Minister, should the Congress retain power.
“I don’t think it is a question of my chance, your chance or his chance. Right now we have to make sure the Congress party wins… tradition is that you fight elections… once you cross the majority mark, the MLAs and the leadership in Delhi will decide who will get what responsibility.”
For his part, Mr Gehlot has not shied away from the odd dig at Mr Pilot.
Last month he took a veiled dig over his younger rival’s chief ministerial ambitions, declaring at a media event in Delhi “… this post is not letting me go”. He also made references to the Congress choosing him, thrice, to lead its government before claiming deference to the party’s decisions.
He also said Congress boss Mallikarjun Kharge had advised him to “forgive, forget, and move on.”
Mr Pilot, who will look to defend his Tonk seat, has also played down talk his rebellion of three years ago could affect his chances at being named Chief Minister, should the Congress retain power.
“I don’t think it is a question of my chance, your chance or his chance. Right now we have to make sure the Congress party wins… tradition is that you fight elections… once you cross the majority mark, the MLAs and the leadership in Delhi will decide who will get what responsibility.”
For his part, Mr Gehlot has not shied away from the odd dig at Mr Pilot.
Last month he took a veiled dig over his younger rival’s chief ministerial ambitions, declaring at a media event in Delhi “… this post is not letting me go”. He also made references to the Congress choosing him, thrice, to lead its government before claiming deference to the party’s decisions.
