Gehlot government's 'trust-distrust' in Rajasthan today

(PTI) Jaipur, Ta. Thursday, August 13, 2020

A day before the assembly session in Rajasthan, rebel leader Sachin Pilot and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met on Thursday and shook hands, signaling peace between the two factions.

Congress, on the other hand, is expected to face a floor test in the Assembly session on Friday. The BJP has announced a no-confidence motion against the Gehlot government in the House while the Congress has expressed confidence in proving a majority by bringing a vote of confidence.

Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot finally met for the first time on Thursday, almost a month after revolting against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in the Rajasthan Congress. In a meeting held at Gehlot's residence, Sachin Pilot shook hands with Gehlot in front of the camera and signaled his return to the party.

Following the intervention of the Congress caucus in Delhi, MLAs from the rebel pilot group are likely to return to the party and pass the Congress floor test. The Congress has 107 MLAs in the 200-member House and also has the support of independent and allied MLAs. While BJP has 72 MLAs.

He was greeted by Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasara when he got out of the pilot car for a meeting at Chief Minister Gehlot's residence Srutha. Sachin Pilot revolted against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and was sacked from the post of Deputy Chief Minister of the state and Gehlot called him 'Nikamma'.

The High Command in Delhi welcomed the return to the pilot's side, assuring that a three-member high-level committee would resolve the pilot's grievances. In Rajasthan, however, the conflict between the Pilot and Gehlot groups remained.

Legislators loyal to Gehlot expressed dissatisfaction with the pilot's return. However, Gehlot urged them to pursue a policy of "forgive and forget". A meeting held at Gehlot's residence ahead of the Congress assembly party's meeting is believed to have reached a compromise between Gehlot and Pilot.

The meeting, which was held for the first visit of Gehlot and Pilot after a month-long crisis, was attended by senior Congress leaders from Delhi. C. Venugopal, Avinash Pandey, Randeep Surjewal and Ajay Maken were present. During the meeting, Gehlot and Sachin Pilot shook hands and posed for peace in front of the camera.

Gehlot was selected for the Chief Minister's post after the 2018 Assembly elections by the Congress and he also gave such a pose when the pilot agreed to be the Deputy Chief Minister. After the Gehlot and Pilot's meeting, a meeting of the Congress Legislative Party was held, which was also attended by 18 MLAs from the pilot group.

Earlier, Congress general secretary Avinash Pandey had announced the withdrawal of suspension of two MLAs from the pilot group. Gehlot took action against Bhanwarlal Sharma and Vishwendra Singh as part of an attempt to overthrow the government. Meanwhile, Friday's session of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly is likely to be tumultuous.

Rajsruthan BJP president Satish Poonia had hinted after the BJP assembly party meeting that the BJP would bring a no-confidence motion in the House. "We will raise issues of state government mismanagement on a number of issues, including the Koro epidemic in the state as well as the deteriorating law and order situation," said Gulabchand Kataria, Leader of the Opposition in the House.

Gehlot government to complete five-year term: Vishwendra Singh

Jaipur, Ta. 13

Vishwendra Singh, leader of the pilot group in the Congress, said on Thursday that the Congress government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot would complete its five-year term. Vishwendrasinh was among the 19 rebel leaders of the pilot group.

Who revolted against Ashok Gehlot a month ago and tried to remove him from the post of Chief Minister. The uprising also led to his expulsion from the tourism ministry and the party's primary membership. However, Vishwendra Singh's suspension was withdrawn after a settlement was reached between Pilot and Gehlot.

The former tourism minister also said that he is a Congress worker and will do his job with full responsibility. He said the party's caucus had intervened and assured that no action would be taken against them.

Due to certain issues, some MLAs led by Sachin Pilot revolted against Gehlot. There have been more serious crises in the party in the past, but the party has emerged victorious one and always.