JAIPUR: Rajasthan Congress attempted a show of unity Wednesday as its seniors came together at the party headquarters to discuss strategies for the Panchayati Raj elections scheduled later this month. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, along with AICC General Secretary Sachin Pilot, PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully and party state in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, appeared before the media laughing and holding hands, collectively emphasising their commitment to contesting the rural polls as a united front.
former CM Ashok Gehlot, AICC general secretary Sachin Pilot, PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra, LoP Tikaram Jully and state in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa appearing together at the party headquarter
former CM Ashok Gehlot, AICC general secretary Sachin Pilot, PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra, LoP Tikaram Jully and state in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa appearing together at the party headquarter
The joint appearance was projected as a move aimed at quelling news reports of internal discord within the party, particularly in light of its poor performance in the recently concluded urban local body elections. Before addressing the media, the senior Congressmen engaged in discussions with Congress district presidents and other key party office-bearers to formulate effective strategies for the panchayat elections.Gehlot took centre stage, asserting that there was no division within the state unit of Congress. “Today you have seen that everyone is together and united. Next time, nobody will ask whether there is unity in Congress,” he said, urging party workers at the grassroots level to amplify the message of unity to voters. He added, “There is no fight in the state Congress. You have to convey this message to people in the districts.”The former CM used the occasion to criticise Bhajan Lal Sharma govt, alleging the misuse of official machinery during the urban local body elections. Gehlot claimed that Congress councillors were unlawfully taken away from party camps, branding the tactics as “unprecedented.” He demanded the state govt ensure that there would be no similar “barricading” of elected representatives during the panchayat polls, asserting that this would demonstrate the fair conduct of rural elections.On the topic of candidate selection for polls, Dotasra expressed the need for a strategic approach, instructing district presidents to prioritise electability over personal loyalties when choosing candidates. He noted that local politicians possess a better grasp of ground realities necessary for identifying viable candidates and reassured attendees that he would refrain from imposing his preferences.BOX: Gehlot-Pilot exchange draws attention at Congress meetJaipur: A light-hearted exchange between former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress general secretary Sachin Pilot drew attention during the party’s meeting on Panchayati Raj election preparations in Jaipur Wednesday.Referring to Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who is currently Congress in-charge for Rajasthan and had earlier been in-charge of Punjab, Gehlot told Pilot: “You are now the Punjab in-charge. Earlier, Randhawa was your in-charge, and now you are Randhawa’s in-charge.”Pilot responded: “You are the in-charge of all of us — Punjab and Rajasthan. What difference does it make?” Gehlot responded with a smile: “I am the permanent in-charge.”
