The governing Congress party in Rajasthan launched a series of individual meetings between MLAs and top officials on Monday to prepare the party for the forthcoming assembly elections. Former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, who is embroiled in a power battle with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, did not attend the meeting. AICC Rajasthan incharge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Gehlot, and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chairman Govind Singh Dotasra met with MLAs from districts in the Ajmer and Jodhpur divisions, news agency PTI reported.


Pilot, who had recently launched a new front against Gehlot for inactivity on suspected corruption during the previous Vasundhara Raje-led BJP administration, did not attend the meeting. Tonk MLA spoke at two public gatherings in Shahpura (Jaipur) and Khetri (Jhunjhunu).


Tonk is part of the Ajmer division.


Pilot informed reporters in Khetri that he already had two engagements planned for the day and would be unable to attend the meeting in Jaipur.


He stated that he had previously informed his position to the party leadership at AICC meetings and his recent trip to Delhi.


Since the formation of the state government by the Congress in December 2018, Gehlot and Pilot have been engaging in a power struggle in the state.


When the party won the state in 2018, Gehlot and Pilot were both interested in becoming chief minister. The Congress high command, however, chose Gehlot for the top job for the third time.


Pilot fasted in Jaipur on April 11 against the Gehlot government's "inaction" in suspected incidents of corruption during Raje's stint as chief minister, ignoring the Congress central leadership's warning that the gesture would amount to "anti-party" activities.


Other lawmakers from Ajmer, Bhilwara, Tonk, Nagaur, Jodhpur, Sirohi, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jalore, and Pali also visited the PCC's new office and provided comments on their respective constituencies, according to a party spokeswoman.


Randhawa, Gehlot, and Dotasra called the MLAs one by one and discussed issues in their constituencies, caste equations, government scheme execution, feedback on the announcement of new districts, anti-incumbency strategy, assessment of third force on their seats, social media presence, and public mood regarding elections.


According to party sources, MLAs have been asked to ensure the success of inflation relief camps, which will be held across the state beginning April 24, PTI reported.


The state government would set up inflation relief camps across the state, as well as 'Prashasan Shehron/Gaon ke Sang' to enlighten people about welfare programmes and connect them to these efforts.


According to the sources, the MLAs were advised to ensure that the advantages of state government plans and programmes reach the greatest number of people possible so that they can transfer into votes for the party in the elections.


"The party is aiming to return to power in the upcoming assembly elections on the basis of the work done by the Gehlot government. But for this, it is important to publicise the (government) schemes in a planned and coordinated manner," a Congress leader was quoted by PTI in its report.


Earlier, former minister and Kekri MLA (Ajmer) Raghu Sharma stated: "It is the year of elections, every party prepares for the elections. The exercise which began today is necessary from the election point of view."


Rakesh Pareek, a Pilot supporter from Masuda, said no one can stop the Congress from regaining power in Rajasthan if the party's high command brings Gehlot and Pilot together. "Rahul Gandhi and the party high command have called both Gehlot and Pilot assets of the Congress. If the party contests elections by bringing them together, no one can stop the Congress from winning the assembly polls again," Pareek was quoted by PTI in its report.


Pareek stated that during his discussion with the senior party officials, he informed them about Pilot's influence in Ajmer.


"I told them about the influence of Sachin Pilot in Ajmer. He has been an MP from Ajmer and has a huge number of supporters there," he said.


He also stated that he gave input on his constituency with the leaders and informed them of what has to be done at the level of the government and the party structure to strengthen the Congress in Mausda.


The Congress will hold a day-long workshop for party leaders and MLAs on Wednesday, followed by a conversation session in Bikaner and Jaipur on Thursday, according to a party spokeswoman. 


(With Inputs From PTI)