Reacting to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s comments on Congress leader Sachin Pilot in which he called Pilot “gaddar” (traitor), the Congress on Sunday said Gehlot shouldn't have used "certain words" during an interview. In an interview with NDTV on Thursday, Gehlot called Pilot a 'gaddar' (traitor) who cannot replace him as he had revolted against Congress in 2020 and tried to topple the state government, drawing a sharp response from his former deputy who said such "mud-slinging" would not help.
Speaking to reporters in Indore during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress' communications head Jairam Ramesh also said, if needed, the party will not shy away from taking “tough decisions” to strengthen the organisation in the desert state and also look for a compromise. "Gehlot is our senior and experienced leader while Pilot is an energetic, young, and popular leader. The Congress needs both these leaders," said Ramesh.
"There are some differences. (Rajasthan) the chief minister has used certain words which were unexpected. I was surprised. Gehlot shouldn't have used certain words in the interview," Ramesh told reporters when queried about Gehlot's outburst. Ramesh said the organisation is most important for Congress.
"We will find out a solution to the Rajasthan issue which will strengthen our organisation. For this, if we have to take tough decisions, we will take them. If a compromise has to be made (between the factions of Gehlot and Pilot), then it will be done,” Ramesh added. He said the Congress leadership is considering a proper solution to the Rajasthan issue.
"But, I cannot fix any time frame for this solution. Only the Congress leadership will decide the time frame for it," he said. Speaking on the Yatra, Ramesh said like other states, it would also be successful in Rajasthan. On December 4, the yatra will enter Rajasthan, where the Assembly elections are due next year.
Last week, Pilot called out Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for his derogatory remarks and said that the allegations made by the Rajashtan CM were "baseless". "Ashok Gehlot is a senior and experienced leader, I don't know who is advising him to level false, baseless allegations against me. Today it is required to strengthen the party," said Congress leader Sachin Pilot while talking to ANI.
On being questioned about the Bharatiya Janata Party's promise of the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in its manifesto for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly polls, Jairam Ramesh said, "The debate on the UCC should continue inside and outside Parliament."
"But, the BJP deliberately raises divisive issues during elections to polarise votes," he alleged. Ramesh said the BJP has raised the issue of UCC for political gains in the Gujarat polls. "They (BJP) will forget the issue after the elections," he claimed.
Speaking on Aam Aadmi Party’s poll campaign in Gujarat, Ramesh said that the main contest in Gujarat is between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. He also claimed the Aam Aadmi Party's "balloon" will burst after the results are declared. "The media has inflated this balloon. The AAP does not seem strong at the grassroots level in Gujarat,” he further claimed.
(With agencies' Inputs)