Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Saturday (July 8) stated his support for selecting candidates solely on their viability for the upcoming Rajasthan assembly elections. Pilot revealed in an interview that he has settled his differences with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on the advice of party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who emphasised the importance of collective leadership. He revealed that Kharge advised him to "forgive and forget" and move on, citing the importance of the party and the public over personal disagreements.
Pilot expressed his willingness to collaborate with Gehlot for the benefit of the party and the people of Rajasthan, recognising Gehlot's experience and responsibilities as Chief Minister, PTI reported.
When asked about his previous interactions with Gehlot, Pilot admitted that the focus should be on the future rather than the past. He stated that Kharge urged everyone to 'forgive, forget, and move on', emphasising the importance of unity and collaboration in dealing with new challenges, he said during the interview.
"He (Kharge) said to forgive, forget, and look forward, and that applies to everyone," the Congress leader said.
"I believe in it, but we must now move forward and face new challenges. This country depends on the success of Congress. We need to seek the blessings of the people of Rajasthan, and to do so, we must work together and move forward in a way that is acceptable to both the people and the party workers," he added.
Pilot emphasised the importance of maintaining dignity in public discourse and refraining from using derogatory language, which he believes is essential for political life, the report said.
Pilot's remarks follow a crucial strategy meeting of the Rajasthan Congress party, which was attended by Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi, AICC in-charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Randhawa, and Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Dotasra, among others.
The meeting aimed to foster unity and discipline within the party and indicated that the Congress may not declare a chief ministerial face for the upcoming polls.
Pilot agreed with the remarks made by Congress general secretary in-charge organisation KC Venugopal, stating that historically, the party has refrained from announcing the chief ministerial candidate before elections, according to the report. He emphasised that the Congress government in Rajasthan represents collective leadership and is not centered around specific individuals. Pilot stressed that victory or loss is not about one person but the collective efforts of the entire team.
Concerning the anti-incumbency challenge, which has persisted in Rajasthan for the past 25 years, Pilot acknowledged the need to address the concerns and unfinished business associated with it, according to the report.
He further expressed confidence in the people's understanding of the party's intentions and their positive reaction to the government's schemes. Pilot stressed the importance of winnability as the primary criterion for candidate selection, regardless of party affiliation.
Pilot also advocated for the inclusion of younger leaders in the electoral process to showcase their abilities. He emphasised the importance of motivating party members and involving them in decision-making, echoing Rahul Gandhi's sentiments on the subject.
It is the only way to go. I have said earlier, no one individual can actually say or claim that he or she can do the magic of winning elections. It is always a team effort. More than leaders, it is the workers, we have to enthuse the workers, they need to feel committed and involved, and as Rahul Gandhi has said that the party workers must feel involved in decision-making," he told PTI.
According to the report, he stated that he would accept any decision made by the party's high command regarding his role in the party. He did, however, express his strong attachment to Rajasthan, stating that the state holds a special place in his heart.
Pilot took a shot at the BJP, claiming that the party was riddled with infighting and confusion, it said. He expressed optimism that the Congress will make history in the upcoming elections, potentially gaining more seats than in previous polls.
Since the Congress formed the government in Rajasthan in 2018, there has been a power struggle between Gehlot and Pilot. Pilot led a rebellion against the Gehlot administration in 2020, which resulted in his removal from key positions within the party. Despite the difficulties, the Congress high command's attempt to effect a leadership change in Rajasthan last year was thwarted by Gehlot loyalists.