Sachin Pilot launched a fierce attack on Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday after the latter claimed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Vasundhara Raje had ‘saved his government from toppling in 2020’; the reference was to a failed rebellion – that nearly brought down the Congress government – by Sachin Pilot and some loyalist to him.

Congress leader Pilot slams Ashok Gehlot

“After listening to Gehlot’s speech, it seems his leader is Raje and not Sonia Gandhi,” Pilot said.

Speaking to the media, the Congress leader said, “He (Gehlot) alleges that the BJP tried to topple his government… then he says a BJP leader helped save his government. He should explain the contradiction.”

He also said, “Some people want to weaken the Congress… we will not let them succeed. After listening to Gehlot’s speech, I understand why we could not act on corruption cases in 4.5 years.”

Giving a firm statement, Pilot declared, “No leader is more important than the public.”

Pilot’s comments ignited the internal conflicts with Gehlot

Sachin Pilot’s harsh comment has resulted in an escalation in his internal conflict with Rajasthan CM, Ashok Gehlot and also comes before Rajasthan – one of only two states the Congress is in power (on its own) – holds an election.

The attack also comes a day before Karnataka – where the Congress is bidding to unseat the BJP – votes in the first big Assembly election of 2023.

Earlier, on Sunday, speaking at a programme in Rajasthan’s Dholpur, the chief minister said Raje and two other BJP leaders – Shobha Rani and Kailash Meghwal – had ‘saved’ his government by declining to take advantage of the Congress’ infighting.

“For the first time, I am seeing someone criticize MPs and MLAs of their own party. Praising leaders from BJP and dishonouring Congress leader is beyond my understanding, this is absolutely wrong,” Sachin Pilot said reacting to Gehlot’s statement.

“Vasundhara Raje Scindia… said it has never been our tradition to topple the elected government on the basis of money. They did not support those who toppled the government due to which our government survived,” Gehlot claimed.

Jan Sangharsh Yatra

Moreover, the former deputy CM has also announced ‘Jan Sangharsh Yatra’ from Ajmer to Jaipur on May 11, to raise issues of corruption. During the press conference, he said that not Sonia Gandhi but Vasundhara Raje is Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s leader.

“After listening to Ashok Gehlot’s speech in Dholpur, it seems like his leader is not Sonia Gandhi, but Vasundhara Raje,” Sachin Pilot said.