Rumblings continue in Rajasthan Congress day after Gehlot attacks Pilot

A day after Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot referred to Congress leader Sachin Pilot as a “traitor”, two MLAs of the party criticised the remarks and said Pilot enjoyed wide support within the party’s state unit.

A day after Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot referred to Congress leader Sachin Pilot as a “traitor”, two MLAs of the party criticised the remarks and said Pilot enjoyed wide support within the party’s state unit.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot (right) with former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot (left). (File image)

Congress Steering Committee member Harish Choudhary said “dignity” should be maintained in political discourse. A Pilot supporter and state minister Rajendra Gudha said 80% of the MLAs were with Pilot.

The reactions came a day after Gehlot told news channel NDTV: “A gaddar (traitor) cannot be the chief minister... the Congress high command cannot make Sachin Pilot the chief minister... a man who doesn’t have 10 MLAs.” Pilot called the allegations baseless.

“No matter who the person is or at what post, there should be dignity of words… What will we, or the future generations learn?” said Choudhary.

Minister of state for sainik welfare Gudha said that: “We will give up our claim if Pilot doesn’t have 80% MLAs.” “They may call him ‘gaddar’. But I want to say that there can be no better leader than Pilot for the state’s health,” said Gudha.

The controversy comes as Rajasthan is scheduled to hold assembly elections next year.

Referring to Gehlot’s remarks on Thursday, the Congress’s communications incharge Jairam Ramesh said: “Ashok Gehlot is a senior and experienced political leader. Whatever differences he has expressed with his younger colleague Sachin Pilot will be resolved in a manner that strengthens the Congress party”.