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Sachin Pilot, Ashok Gehlot flew on same flight because…: Jairam Ramesh explains
Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot made several joint appearances after their recent face-off. On Sunday, as Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu took oath as Himachal Pradesh chief minister, both Gehlot and Pilot were there and they flew in the same plane, Jairam Ramesh said.
Both Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot were there on Sunday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Sukvinder Singh Sukhu as Himachal Pradesh chief minister. But more importantly, Gehlot and Pilot flew together and it was not just for photographs, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in Rajasthan. They are actually united, Jairam Ramesh said. Read | Pilot: Rajasthan Congress united, focused on ensuring Bharat Jodo’s success
"Both leaders are assets for us. One is experienced, is at high position in the organisation and in the state. Sachin Pilot is young and energetic. The people and the organisation need both of them. What you are seeing is not hypocrisy or a show," Ramesh said.
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Gehlot and Pilot reached the Jaipur airport in the same helicopter from Bundi's Kapren and went to Delhi in a charter plane. From there, they reached Shimla.
In the volatile equation of Gehlot and Pilot, the latest thorn was Gehlot calling Pilot a traitor in an interview with NDTV. It was before the Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Rajasthan when the Gurjar community threatened to disrupt the yatra in the state unless their demands are met. One of their demands was to make Sachin Pilot the chief minister. In this context, Gehlot said Pilot can never become the chief minister and called him a 'gaddar'.
The remark drew criticism and the party had to go for immediate troubleshooting in Rajasthan. The party stood by its stand that both Gehlot and Pilot were assets for the party and the Gurjar community too was assuaged. Both Pilot and Gehlot were present when Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Rajasthan putting their trouble behind them. On Sunday, Gehlot gave another interview to NDTV and referring to the 'gaddar' comment said, "Such incidents and accidents often happen in politics. Time fixes everything."
(With PTI inputs)
