In a surprising and symbolic gesture of political reconciliation, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress leader Sachin Pilot shared the stage on Wednesday at a ceremony marking the death anniversary of Rajesh Pilot, father of Sachin Pilot and a stalwart of the Congress party. This marks their first public appearance together in five years—potentially signaling a much-needed thaw in relations between the two senior Rajasthan Congress leaders after years of friction.
🕊️ “We Were Never Apart,” Says Gehlot
Speaking at the ceremony, Gehlot stated that any talk of distance between him and Pilot was simply media speculation.
“When have we been separated? We are always together and share a lot of love. This is only the media that says that there is distance between us,” Gehlot said.
This public display of unity comes after a long and bitter chapter in Rajasthan’s political history—a chapter defined by infighting, power struggles, and a near-collapse of the Congress-led state government in 2020.
🔙 Flashback to 2020: A Crisis Averted
In July 2020, Pilot, who was then serving as Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief, led a rebellion with 18 Congress MLAs against Gehlot, accusing him of sidelining younger leaders and monopolizing decision-making. The revolt caused a month-long political standoff in the state.
The Congress high command eventually brokered peace by removing Pilot from both his positions. However, tensions between the two leaders continued to simmer beneath the surface for years, leaving a deep divide within the Rajasthan Congress.
🏠 A Visit and a Gesture
The turning point came on Saturday, when Sachin Pilot personally visited Gehlot’s residence in Jaipur to invite him to his father’s death anniversary event. The two-hour meeting marked their first extended one-on-one interaction since the crisis of 2020. It paved the way for Wednesday’s joint appearance—an event that might well represent a critical shift in intra-party dynamics ahead of the next state and national elections.
Gehlot’s presence at the ceremony wasn't just symbolic. It also included praise for leaders across party lines—including BJP’s Vasundhara Raje, Kailash Meghwal, and Shobharani Kushwah—whom he credited with indirectly helping him save his government during the 2020 rebellion.
💸 Money Allegations and Sharp Denials
Gehlot used the platform to reiterate his controversial allegation that some rebel Congress legislators were financially influenced during the 2020 crisis.
“Those who took the money must return it to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. If they don’t, they will always remain under pressure,” he said.
Pilot, however, firmly denied these claims, calling them false and baseless. He emphasized that their revolt was driven solely by ideological concerns and dissatisfaction with Gehlot’s governance style, not monetary inducements.
👥 Who Was Present?
The event saw the presence of top Rajasthan Congress leaders, including:
State Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra
Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully
Congress in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa
MPs Harish Chaudhary and Murari Lal Meena
Their attendance further adds weight to the speculation that the Congress leadership may finally be moving toward a unified front in Rajasthan.
🗳️ What This Means for Congress in Rajasthan
The public coming together of Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot couldn’t have come at a more critical time for the Congress. With general elections approaching in 2026 and the party’s electoral performance under close national scrutiny, unity in Rajasthan—a politically vital state—is imperative.
Whether this reconciliation is genuine or simply a strategic move ahead of the elections remains to be seen. But the optics are powerful. A united Congress front in Rajasthan could strengthen its chances in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and may even help the party regain lost ground nationally.
📌 Final Thoughts
Politics is often about perception, and Wednesday's joint appearance by Gehlot and Pilot was a carefully crafted display of harmony and reconciliation. While old wounds don’t heal overnight, the Congress appears to be taking steps toward internal consolidation.
If this peace holds, it could mark a new beginning for the Rajasthan Congress—one that offers both leaders the chance to refocus on governance and electoral strategy rather than personal rivalry.
For now, the message is clear: unity is the new mantra.
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