Jaipur, June 8 (IANS) As the long-running political rivalry has again triggered a rift between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, the two top Congress leaders in Rajasthan, the BJP has given a sharp response, affirming it has no role in Congress politics.

“The BJP has no role in Congress’ internal politics or leadership disputes,” said Madan Rathore, BJP state president and urged Gehlot and Pilot to settle their differences through dialogue rather than dragging political opponents into their ongoing feud.

Gehlot on Sunday renewed his criticism of Pilot over the Congress leadership tussle that rocked the state in 2022; Rajasthan BJP chief Rathore accused the former Chief Minister of reviving old controversies to maintain his political relevance within the Congress.

Rathore said that a leader of Gehlot’s stature, having served three terms as Chief Minister, should exercise greater restraint in public discourse. He alleged that Congress’ internal factionalism continues to deepen, compelling senior leaders to make provocative statements in an attempt to remain visible before the party high command.

The BJP leader further claimed that Gehlot frequently resorts to public accusations and counter-accusations to dominate political discourse and attract media attention. The remarks came after Gehlot, speaking at the Constitution Club in Jaipur, reignited debate over the dramatic events of September 25, 2022, when a political crisis erupted in Rajasthan amid speculation that Pilot could replace him as Chief Minister.

Defending his position, Gehlot asserted that the rebellion by Congress legislators at the time was aimed at preventing Pilot from becoming Chief Minister, not at challenging the Congress high command. “If I had rebelled against the high command, would I have remained Chief Minister?” Gehlot asked, while accusing Pilot of refusing to acknowledge mistakes made during the political crisis.

The veteran Congress leader argued that many MLAs believed leadership should have gone to those who stood firmly with the party during the 2020 government crisis, an apparent reference to Pilot’s rebellion against the Gehlot-led government.

Gehlot also revisited his “forget and forgive” stance regarding the fallout from the Manesar episode, suggesting that the controversy would have ended years ago had Pilot accepted reconciliation efforts. He further claimed that despite helping Pilot rise in national politics and become a Union Minister, the gesture was never publicly acknowledged.

While emphasising that misunderstandings had damaged their relationship, Gehlot maintained that he had consistently sought reconciliation. However, his latest remarks indicate that the political wounds from Rajasthan Congress’ turbulent power struggle remain far from healed.

The renewed exchange highlights how the Gehlot-Pilot rivalry continues to cast a shadow over Congress in Rajasthan, even as the party seeks to rebuild its political position after losing power to the BJP, said Congress workers, and added that Gehlot, it seems, is again interested in getting the party’s president post.

–IANS

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