Amid an ongoing feud between Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and his bitter rival and party colleague Sachin Pilot, the state’s Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara downplayed the tussle, saying "We are all united".
"Pilot has already said that he has conveyed his point to the high command and at the same time, the AICC in-charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has also conveyed his point to the high command," the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief told reporters, adding that a third person should not comment on it.
He also said if a leader is not found popular in his constituency in the party's pre-poll survey, he should not get a ticket even if it is him. "I am a man of the organisation and will take all people of the organisation along. Today, I can say that we are all united and are strengthening the Congress," he said.
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Dostara’s remarks were made on a day when chief minister Gehlot said that all party members must work unitedly. Gehlot, in a veiled attack at Pilot, also said that "It is easy to ignite a fire, but very difficult to douse it.”
“I talk about 'mehengai raahat' (relief from inflation). Congress leaders and workers should work towards strengthening the party and work towards bringing its government once again in the state... They should not do anything which harms the party," the Rajasthan CM said.
A possible Cabinet reshuffle
Speculations were rife that the Congress in Rajasthan was looking at the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle. When asked about the same, Dostara told reporters, "This is the prerogative of the chief minister, but there are always possibilities."
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On the allotment of tickets in elections, he said the party would give chances to those who are popular among the public. "Those who go among them and serve them will get the ticket."
The state assembly elections are due later this year.
Pilot’s charge at Gehlot
Last week, Pilot opened a front against chief minister Gehlot as he raised the issue of corruption when the party was in opposition during the BJP rule. He held a day-long hunger strike at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur.
Pilot claimed that the Congress failed to keep its promise made during the 2018 assembly polls that action would be taken in the matter if the party forms the government in Rajasthan.
Congress responded to the move calling it "anti-party activity" but it could not stop Pilot from going ahead with his dharna. AICC in charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said that Pilot, who is an MLA, should have raised his demand for action in corruption cases in the Rajasthan Assembly, instead of holding the fast.
The Congress leadership has so far not taken any action against Pilot.
With just a few months left for the assembly elections, the party held a one-on-one dialogue with MLAs and those who are supporting it and held a one-day workshop this week. Pilot skipped these programmes.
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(With PTI inputs)
