Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is set to hold separate meetings with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot in Delhi on Monday, according to a senior party leader. The move comes amid growing tensions within the Rajasthan Congress and Pilot’s recent “ultimatum” to launch a state-wide agitation if his demands are not met.
The Rajasthan Chief Minister’s office has confirmed Gehlot’s visit to Delhi, where he will also lay the foundation stone of the Rajasthan House. The proposed meetings between Kharge, Gehlot, and Pilot aim to bring the two prominent leaders of the party on the same platform ahead of the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for later this year.
A pilot has put forth several demands, including a high-level inquiry into alleged scams that occurred during the previous Vasundhara Raje government’s tenure. His ultimatum has raised concerns within the party, prompting the top brass to intervene and address the issues at hand.
Initially, a meeting of the Congress leadership with all state leaders was scheduled for May 26 but was later postponed. Now, Kharge will meet Gehlot and Pilot separately, following a strategy that was successful in Karnataka, where he managed to bring together rival leaders Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar.
The Congress aims to resolve the internal conflicts within the Rajasthan unit and present a united front for the upcoming elections. The party’s high command had planned a meeting with leaders from all poll-bound states, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana, but it was postponed.
The meetings between Kharge, Gehlot, and Pilot will be crucial in addressing the grievances and concerns of both leaders, reconciling their differences, and ensuring a cohesive strategy moving forward. The Congress party seeks to present a united and strong front to counter the opposition and enhance its prospects in the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan.
