Congress President Election | ‘Need to work together’, says Sachin Pilot after meeting Sonia Gandhi

“I met Congress president today. She listened to me calmly. We held a detailed discussion on whatever happened in Jaipur, Rajasthan. I told her my sentiments, my feedback. All of us want to win the 2023 polls (in Rajasthan) by working hard. We'll have to work together,” says Congress leader Sachin Pilot after an hour-long meeting with Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi in Delhi.

“Whatever decision has to be made in the context of Rajasthan, will be taken by her... I am confident that in the next 12-13 months we will once again make a Congress govt through our hard work,” Pilot said.

“Tomorrow is the last day of filing nominations. Let's see how many people file it. You and I have the same curiosity that who'll file nominations and who'll withdraw their nominations after scrutiny,” says Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel on Digvijaya Singh filing nomination for Congress presidential polls.

“Polls are being held in our party and this is a symbol of our internal democracy. We didn't even know when did JP Nadda become the BJP president again,” he said.

“I'm here to file (nomination) form, and then i'll return to join Bharat Jodo Yatra. Every PCC delegate has right to contest president elections. I've not discussed my nomination with Nehru-Gandhi family. I met many senior leaders including AK Antony, Kharge Ji,” said veteran leader Digvijaya Singh whose contesting for Congress presidential polls.

“The Nehru-Gandhi family will remain our leader. Whoever becomes the party president will work under their leadership...Our priority is to see how the situation in the country improves, won't let the country divide or the constitution weaken,” he said.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot reaches party chief Sonia Gandhi's residence for a meeting hours after Ashok Gehlot withdrew his nomination for presidential polls.

A total of 12 Congress MLAs from Madhya Pradesh will be proposers for veteran leader Digvijaya Singh when he files nomination for the Congress president's election, a party leader said on Thursday.

“Decisions are taken by party chief and he left the decision to her. I believe a decision will be made taking note of Congress loyalists, who always stand in Sonia Gandhi camp and fight BJP. Decision will be taken in national interest,” said Gehlot loyalist and Rajasthan minister Pratap Khachariyawas. 

“It is up to Sonia Gandhi ji if I remain CM,” Ashok Gehlot told media persons after announcing withdrawal from Congress president polls.

Ashok Gehlot says he profusely apologised to Sonia Gandhi for what happened in Rajasthan. He said, "I will regret for life that I couldn’t get resolution passed."

Gehlot also confirmed he will not contest for Congress president polls.

Congress leader and former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot will meet party president Sonia Gandhi later on Thursday, PTI reported.

Veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Thursday confirmed his entry to the race for party chief post days after Rajasthan witnessed a high-voltage drama over the candidature of chief minister Ashok Gehlot. Speaking to reporters at the AICC headquarters in Delhi, Singh said he was there to collect the nomination papers, adding that he will likely file the nomination on Friday.

Rajya Sabha MP and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh could enter the race for Congress president. He is expected to be in Delhi on Thursday.

Chief minister Ashok Gehlot is likely to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday in an attempt to resolve the crisis triggered in Rajasthan after lawmakers close to him opposed his rival Sachin Pilot’s elevation to the state’s top job. The lawmakers sought their say in choosing Gehlot’s successor if he gets elected as the party chief. They opposed Pilot’s elevation citing his rebellion against the chief minister in 2020.