Just a day before Rajasthan assembly polls, incumbent Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot shared a video on Friday of his former deputy Sachin Pilot urging voters to elect the Congress government.
The video assumes significance amidst the ongoing discussion surrounding the power tussle between Gehlot and Pilot in the Rajasthan campaign. Gehlot posted a 1.51-minute clip of Sachin Pilot on multiple social media platforms, including X, Facebook, and Instagram.
Also Read:Rajasthan Election 2023: ‘Whatever high command decides,’ says Ashok Gehlot on CM candidate
In the video, Pilot could be seen appealing to people to vote for Congress, stating that public feedback and voter inclination indicate the party’s potential to form the state government again.
“Rajasthan Assembly elections are going to be held on November 25. We have conducted several campaigns in the run-up to the polls and the feedback and response from the public suggest that Congress is going to form the government in the state with full majority. The tradition of the alternate governance of BJP and Congress will change this time and once again people will vote for Congress,” Pilot said.
Pilot urged unity and support for all Congress candidates, highlighting the need to continue the state’s progress and uphold the party’s values. He emphasised voting for the hand symbol, ensuring victory for Congress in unvisited areas. Pilot stressed that this victory would represent the people’s success and prevent the BJP from obstructing Congress’ governance plans.
“The victory will mark the victory for Congress and for the people. We will not let the BJP’s intention that is to scrap the policies and schemes launched by the Congress, be successful,” he added.
PM Modi’s remark on Sachin pilot
During his Thursday poll campaigns, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at the Congress amid the Ashok-Pilot power struggle. He criticised the party’s treatment of Sachin Pilot, alleging that they ousted him like “a fly in milk” after coming to power in Rajasthan.
Also Read:Rajasthan Elections 2023: Congress poll manifesto promises caste census, 10 lakh jobs and more
Modi also accused the party of punishing Sachin Pilot in a manner similar to his father’s treatment, stating that anyone speaking the truth within the grand old party faces expulsion from politics.
What is Gehlot vs Pilot feud?
In 2020, Pilot, then Deputy Chief Minister, along with 18 Congress MLAs loyal to him, staged a revolt against Gehlot. Consequently, Pilot was removed from his position as the state Congress president. Following this crisis, relations between the two leaders have remained strained.
Earlier this year, Pilot led a protest against the Gehlot government, urging action against alleged corruption during the previous BJP administration led by Vasundhara Raje. Gehlot took repeated jabs at Pilot for his actions, labelling him ‘nikamma’ (useless).
Rajasthan election for 199 seats is scheduled to be held tomorrow and counting of votes will be on December 3. The election for the Karanpur seat has been adjourned due to the demise of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar.
