A long-standing rift in Rajasthan Congress may be easing. A meeting between two Congress stalwarts – Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot – on Saturday, June 7 has given a new twist to the internal politics of the Congress in the state.
What happened in the meeting?
Sachin Pilot, a former deputy chief minister and Union minister, arrived at the residence of former chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday. Pilot said that he had come to invite him to the tribute program to be organized on the 25th death anniversary of his father Rajesh Pilot. The program is to be held on June 11 at Bhandaana village in Dausa – the same place where Rajesh Pilot died in a road accident in June 2000.
Talks lasted for an hour
Te meeting is politically significant because the talks lasted for about an hour, and before this there was no personal meeting of any kind between the two leaders in the last few years. The bitterness between the two had also come to the fore at the party level - especially in 2020 when Pilot took a rebellious stance.
Messages shared on social media
Gehlot shared a video and a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after the meeting. He wrote, "Rajesh Pilot and I were elected to the Lok Sabha together in 1980 and we had a deep relationship of about 18 years. His untimely death was an irreparable loss for the Congress."
On the other hand, Sachin Pilot also gave a positive message in his social media post and wrote that after meeting former CM Ashok Gehlot, he has invited him to attend the tribute meeting to be held on June 11 on the 25th death anniversary of his father.
A sign of reconciliation?
This meeting is not being considered just an invitation, but it is being seen as a sign of reconciliation in Rajasthan Congress. There was tension within the party regarding leadership since the 2023 assembly elections. Now it is very important for the party to show unity before the 2028 elections. Political observers believe that if this reconciliation continues further, then the Congress can emerge strong again in the state.
Program of June 11: Platform of unity?
Now all eyes are on the death anniversary program of Rajesh Pilot to be held in Dausa on June 11. It is believed that if Gehlot participates in this program, it will be a political message that Rajasthan Congress is moving towards collective leadership in future. The doors of possibilities are never closed in politics. This meeting of Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot may perhaps become a new political beginning for the Congress - provided this series of dialogue continues further.